Flamethrower Attack in Boulder Injures Eight During Pro-Israeli Hostage Vigil (Video)
- Victor Nwoko
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Eight people were injured Sunday when a man armed with a makeshift flamethrower and incendiary devices attacked a peaceful gathering at the Pearl Street pedestrian mall. The group had assembled to raise awareness for Israeli hostages still held in Gaza. Law enforcement officials have confirmed the incident is being investigated as an act of terrorism.
The suspect, identified as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, was apprehended and booked into the Boulder County Jail. Authorities believe Soliman acted alone. He is expected to face multiple charges related to the attack. He was also injured and taken to the hospital for treatment. No further details about his condition have been disclosed.
The violence erupted near the end of a weekly demonstration organized by the volunteer group “Run For Their Lives,” which advocates for the release of hostages taken during the October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel. The event coincided with the start of the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, further heightening community concerns amid rising antisemitic incidents across the U.S.
According to eyewitnesses, the suspect shouted “Free Palestine” and hurled Molotov cocktails into the crowd. Video footage captured the chaos, with attendees scrambling to extinguish flames and assist the injured. One woman caught fire during the attack, and others suffered burns and other injuries. Victims range in age from 52 to 88, and their conditions vary from minor to serious.
Footage shows the suspect reemerging after the initial blast, attempting to throw another incendiary device—only to accidentally ignite himself. He removed his shirt and a vest, possibly bulletproof, before being arrested by responding officers without resistance.
Among those present was Lynn Segal, 72, who described seeing a “rope of fire” shoot past her. She recalled the frantic effort to find water and assist victims. Though a longtime supporter of the Palestinian cause, Segal said she feared being mistakenly associated with the attacker because of her pro-Palestinian shirt.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement condemning the attack and expressed support for the victims. “This attack was aimed against peaceful people who wished to express their solidarity with the hostages held by Hamas, simply because they were Jews,” Netanyahu stated.
The FBI’s Denver office and the Justice Department confirmed they are treating the attack as ideologically motivated violence. “This is an example of how perpetrators of violence continue to threaten communities across the nation,” said FBI Special Agent Mark Michalek. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino added that the agency will “speak clearly on these incidents when the facts warrant it.”
In response, the New York Police Department announced increased security measures at religious sites for the Shavuot holiday.
The Pearl Street mall, a vibrant shopping and dining district, was evacuated after the attack. Heavily armed police units and K9 teams swept the area for additional threats.
This latest act of violence comes amid ongoing turmoil in the Middle East. The war in Gaza erupted after Hamas militants killed roughly 1,200 people in Israel and abducted about 250 on October 7, 2023. Israel’s counteroffensive has since resulted in over 54,000 reported deaths in Gaza, according to the territory’s Hamas-run Health Ministry.
The Boulder incident follows another attack in Washington, D.C., where a man also shouting “Free Palestine” was charged with the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy staffers. Both attacks have amplified concerns about the safety of Jewish communities in the United States.
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