Eight people were injured on Sunday in Boulder, Colorado, when a man hurled firebombs into a crowd during a peaceful vigil for Israeli hostages held in Gaza. Authorities identified the suspect as 45-year-old Mohamed Soliman, who reportedly shouted “Free Palestine” before launching the incendiary attack on Pearl Street Mall, a popular pedestrian area near the University of Colorado.
The victims four men and four women aged between 52 and 88 were rushed to area hospitals, with at least one in critical condition. Witnesses described scenes of chaos and panic, with some victims suffering severe burns. “Everybody is yelling, ‘get water, get water,’” said Brooke Coffman, a 19-year-old university student who witnessed the attack.
The FBI has confirmed it is investigating the assault as a terrorist act. “It is clear that this is a targeted act of violence,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek. Local police believe Soliman acted alone, and he is currently hospitalized.
The attack occurred during a weekly event organized by Run for Their Lives, a group dedicated to raising awareness for the hostages taken during the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. Until now, the events had been peaceful.
Reactions have poured in from leaders across the political spectrum. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called it a “terrible antisemitic terror attack” and “pure antisemitism.” U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need to stand against rising antisemitism. Colorado Governor Jared Polis called the attack “unfathomable.”
As tensions around the Israel-Gaza conflict continue to mount in the U.S., the incident has reignited political debates. Trump-era officials claimed Soliman had overstayed a visa, blaming immigration policy failures. However, the Department of Homeland Security has not confirmed his status.
Sunday’s attack follows a recent Washington, D.C. shooting targeting Israeli embassy staff, further underscoring growing security concerns for Jewish communities across the U.S.
Authorities have pledged a full investigation and increased vigilance at similar events nationwide. The Boulder community remains shaken, yet determined to continue their advocacy peacefully.
