Eight people were injured in Boulder, Colorado, on Sunday after a man launched a violent and deliberate attack on participants of a peaceful weekly demonstration. The event, held on the Pearl Street Mall and organized by “Run For Their Lives,” aimed to raise awareness about Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.
The suspect, identified as 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, approached the demonstrators and reportedly shouted pro-Palestinian slogans before igniting and throwing multiple Molotov cocktails into the crowd. He also used a makeshift flamethrower fashioned from commercial tools, causing severe burns and injuries to several victims, some of whom were elderly. At least one woman remains in critical condition at a Denver-area burn center.
Federal and local authorities have confirmed that the incident is being investigated as a targeted act of terrorism. FBI Director Kash Patel stated that Soliman’s actions were ideologically motivated and that the attack appears to have been premeditated. Soliman, an Egyptian national who had overstayed his visa, was apprehended at the scene and is currently receiving medical treatment for minor injuries under police custody.
Among the injured are a Holocaust survivor, a local university professor, and several elderly residents of Boulder who regularly attend the weekly event. Witnesses described scenes of chaos and panic as flames spread rapidly through the crowd, forcing people to seek cover.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis issued a statement condemning the attack, pledging full cooperation with federal investigators and reaffirming the state’s commitment to protecting civil liberties and public safety. Law enforcement officials have increased patrols around similar public events, citing concerns over politically motivated violence.
This attack has raised new questions about domestic security failures, the impact of ideological extremism, and the dangers posed by lax immigration enforcement. The Boulder incident follows a pattern of escalating hostility toward communities engaging in peaceful political expression, and highlights the growing risks associated with radicalized narratives that turn protest into pretext for terror.
Investigators are continuing to gather evidence, including surveillance footage and digital communications, as they consider potential federal charges. The case has been transferred to a joint task force of FBI counterterrorism agents and the Department of Homeland Security.
Public officials have urged calm but called for vigilance as the investigation unfolds, warning that politically driven violence is becoming increasingly unpredictable and transnational in character.