Highland Park shooting witness was supposed to be part of group attacked in Boulder, Colorado, 'saw people burning'
Share this @internewscast.com

A person from Highland Park, who had previously experienced the tragic events following the Fourth of July parade shooting in 2022, was nearly involved in another violent incident this past weekend in Boulder, Colorado.

“I immediately rode my bike to the courthouse and saw people burning,” Aaron Brooks said.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Brooks described the surreal horror of that moment.

The Highland Park native was captured in a cell phone video after authorities claim that 45-year-old Mohamed Soliman attacked a group using a homemade flamethrower and Molotov cocktails. This group was participating in a regular walk to highlight the plight of Israeli hostages, and the attack left twelve people injured.

“He screamed, ‘you’re burning my people’ or ‘you burned my people,'” Brooks said.

Soliman, who made a court appearance on Monday wearing an orange jumpsuit and with his head bandaged, is accused of traveling around 100 miles from his residence in Colorado Springs to Boulder to carry out the attack.

Court papers say he admitted that he “…researched on YouTube how to make Molotov Cocktails…” and authorities allegedly found a “backpack weed sprayer” containing “87 octane gasoline” and “…sixteen unlit Molotov cocktails.”

“And when he was interviewed about the attack, he said he wanted them all to die. He had no regrets, and he would go back and do it again,” said J. Bishop Grewell, acting U.S. attorney for Colorado.

The attack comes less than two weeks after two Israeli embassy staffers were shot and killed while leaving an event in Washington, D.C.

“We can’t continue to say, well you know, this is new state of things. No, again, it’s antithetical to who we are as Americans,” said Lonnie Nasatir, Jewish United Fund Chicago president and CEO.

Brooks says he usually attends those weekly walks in Boulder, but was running late on Sunday.

He says the discourse in the U.S. must change.

“Let’s get to talking with one another about what we really can do to make this world better, and that means reaching across the aisle, getting out of our algorithms and talking,” Brooks said.

This isn’t the first mass casualty incident Brooks has witnessed in the U.S. He also saw the carnage of the Highland Park shooting firsthand.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
WTH?! Kristi Noem Reveals Horrifying Details About Detained Cannibal Illegal Alien

Shocking Details Unveiled: Kristi Noem Discusses Case of Detained Cannibalistic Illegal Immigrant

Let’s put this situation in the “What the heck?!” category. Details of…
Oliver Gibson, former NFL defensive lineman, dead at 53

Former NFL Defensive Lineman Oliver Gibson Passes Away at 53

Former NFL defensive tackle Oliver Gibson has died at the age of…

Glamorous ‘Goodnight Cinderella’ thief caught after seducing tourists and stealing £13k by drugging them

This captures the arrest of a thief nicknamed “Goodnight Cinderella,” who targeted…
US won't send some weapons pledged to Ukraine following a Pentagon review of military aid

U.S. Holds Back Certain Weapons Promised to Ukraine After Pentagon Aid Assessment

WASHINGTON — The United States is pausing certain weapons deliveries to Ukraine…
A grieving father mourns at his son's funeral.

Trump Announces Israel’s 60-Day Ceasefire Agreement for Gaza, Urges Hamas to Accept, Warning of Escalation

DONALD Trump said that Israel has agreed in principle to a 60-day…
New FBI alert: Lone wolf actor biggest threat to 4th of July festivities in New York, San Francisco: FBI, DHS bulletins

FBI Alert: Solitary Attackers Pose Major Risk to July 4th Celebrations in NYC & San Francisco, Warn DHS Bulletins

A solitary individual acting alone is identified as the primary terror threat…
Plane crash at an airport with emergency personnel and onlookers.

Haunting Audio Captures Russians Shooting Down Plane on Christmas, Killing 38, Aware It Wasn’t a Ukrainian Drone

A CHILLING audio clip has emerged revealing the moment Russians shot down…
Aurora, IL Mayor John Laesch under fire after social media post seeming to encourage residents to set off fireworks in city

Aurora, IL Mayor John Laesch Criticized for Social Media Post Appearing to Urge Residents to Ignite Fireworks Locally

AURORA, Ill. (WLS) — A social media post by Aurora’s mayor is…
Dolton Village Board to vote on purchase of Pope Leo's childhood home at 212 East 141st Place

Dolton Village Board to decide on acquiring Pope Leo’s childhood residence at 212 East 141st Place

The back-and-forth dispute between the village of Dolton and the homeowner might…
ICE agents in Midwest jurisdiction recently arresting more who have no prior criminal convictions, charges

ICE Agents in the Midwest Increasingly Detain Individuals Without Prior Criminal Records

CHICAGO (WLS) — President Donald Trump campaigned with a promise to deport…
Portrait of the Dalai Lama.

Elderly Dalai Lama Sparks Tension with China by Announcing His Successor, Defying Communist Rule

THE Dalai Lama has reignited a long-standing feud with the Chinese government…
United Airlines flight diverted while going to Chicago O'Hare Airport, plane evacuated at St. Louis Lambert International Airport

United Airlines Flight Rerouted to St. Louis Lambert, Evacuated Before Reaching Chicago O’Hare

CHICAGO (WLS) — On Tuesday morning, passengers faced a frightening experience when…