Witnesses reported the suspect used a makeshift flamethrower and threw an incendiary device into the crowd, the FBI said.
BOULDER, Colo. — A suspect has been detained following an incident where eight individuals were harmed during an event to raise awareness about Israeli hostages on Sunday afternoon at the Pearl Street Mall, according to Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn.
The incident took place at approximately 1:30 p.m. near the historic courthouse located at 1235 Pearl Street. Initially, authorities reported that six people had been transported to hospitals. However, on Sunday night, Boulder police updated this information, confirming a total of eight victims—comprising four women and four men, aged between 52 and 88.
Miri Kornfeld, a coordinator with a group organizing weekly walks to highlight the plight of Israeli hostages, recounted to 9NEWS that the group was walking along Pearl Street that afternoon. Upon reaching the courthouse, they encountered a man who was waiting with bottles, Kornfeld explained. The man proceeded to throw the bottles, causing burns to several individuals, including a woman who suffered severe burns and was forced to roll on the ground to extinguish the flames.
One of the victims is a Holocaust survivor, a friend told 9NEWS.
FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek said witnesses reported the suspect used a makeshift flamethrower and threw an incendiary device into the crowd. He was heard yelling “Free Palestine” during the attack, Michalek said.
> Content warning: This video may be difficult for some people to watch.
Redfearn said officers “immediately ran into a chaotic situation where a man was throwing Molotov cocktails and using other devices to hurt people.” People on the scene pointed out the suspect to officers, Redfearn said, and he was taken into custody without incident. He was taken to the hospital with minor injuries, Redfearn said.
The suspect has been identified as Mohamed Soliman, 45.
UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora said they received three patients from the attack. Other patients were taken to Boulder Community Hospital.
“The FBI is processing the crime scene in the subject vehicle and interviewing key witnesses,” Michalek said in a news conference at 6:30 p.m. Sunday.
Evacuation area
Police initially evacuated the area bordered by Broadway to the west, Pine Street to the north, 16th Street to the east, and Walnut Street to the south. A spokesperson for the Boulder Police Department said all areas reopened around 1:30 a.m.
Redfearn said the historic courthouse, which houses county offices, will be closed Monday as the investigation continues.
FBI investigating ‘targeted terror attack’
The FBI is investigating the attack, according to a social media post from agency director Kash Patel.
“We are aware of and fully investigating a targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado. Our agents and local law enforcement are on the scene already, and we will share updates as more information becomes available,” Patel said in the post.
“As a result of these preliminary facts, it is clear that this is a targeted act of violence, and the FBI is investigating this as an act of terrorism,” Michalek said. “Sadly, attacks like this are becoming too common across the country. This is an example of how perpetrators of violence continue to threaten communities across our nation.”
The FBI is asking anyone who has video, social media posts or other recording of the attack to upload their media to fbi.gov/boulderattack. Anyone with information is asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI.
Colorado leaders react
“As the Jewish community reels from the recent antisemitic murders in Washington, D.C., it is unfathomable that the community is facing another antisemitic attack here in Boulder, on the eve of the holiday of Shavuot,” Gov. Jared Polis said in a statement. “Several individuals were brutally attacked while peacefully drawing attention to the plight of hostages who have been held by Hamas terrorists in Gaza for 604 days. Hate is unacceptable in our Colorado for all, and I condemn this act of terror.”
“My thoughts are with those injured and impacted by today’s attack against a group that meets weekly on Boulder’s Pearl Street Mall to call for the release of the hostages in Gaza,” Attorney General Phil Weiser said in a statement.
“People may have differing views about world events and the Israeli-Hamas conflict, but violence is never the answer to settling differences,” Weiser said. “Hate has no place in Colorado. We all have the right to peaceably assemble and the freedom to speak our views. But these violent acts—which are becoming more frequent, brazen, and closer to home—must stop and those who commit these horrific acts must be fully held to account.”
Democratic Colorado U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse called the attack “heinous” in a statement released by his office Sunday.
“I am horrified by the heinous act of terror that took place in downtown Boulder this afternoon, and my wife Andrea and I are praying for the victims,” Neguse said. “Tonight, as many prepare to mark the Shavuot holiday, our Jewish community has been subjected to yet another brutal and horrific act of violence. The scourge of antisemitism has metastasized across our country, and we must do more — now — to stop this hatred and violence. We stand with the Jewish community — today and always — and will be united in supporting the victims and their families, and to redoubling our efforts to stop antisemitism.”
