Colorado: ‘Targeted Terrorist Attack’ Leaves Six Injured at Rally for Israeli Hostages

A violent attack disrupted a peaceful gathering in support of Israeli hostages on Sunday, June 1, in Boulder, Colorado. A man armed with a homemade flamethrower and incendiary device injured six people, aged between 67 and 88, one of whom is in critical condition. The FBI swiftly described the incident as a “targeted terrorist attack.”

The suspect, identified as 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, was taken into custody and hospitalized. Witnesses reported that he shouted “Free Palestine!” as he threw the incendiary device into the crowd. A video circulating on social media shows a shirtless, agitated man holding two bottles with flames visible on the lawn in front of him, yelling “Palestine is free.”

The weekly rally, titled Run for Their Lives, is organized by members of the Jewish community to raise awareness for hostages still held in Gaza since the unprecedented Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. “This peaceful event was the target of a horrific attack,” said Boulder’s Jewish community in a statement, expressing solidarity with the victims.

A Deadly Precedent in Washington

The Boulder incident occurred just ten days after another deadly event: on May 21, two employees of the Israeli embassy were shot dead near the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, during a reception hosted by a Jewish organization. That attack also featured pro-Palestinian slogans.

FBI Director Mark Michalek confirmed that federal agents were deployed in Boulder to support local law enforcement. Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn was more cautious, saying it was too early to confirm whether a specific group had been targeted. Authorities initially investigated the possibility of a second suspect, but later said they were “reasonably confident” the attacker acted alone.

Political and Diplomatic Reactions

The White House stated that President Donald Trump had been briefed on the situation. Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the attack, saying, “Terrorism has no place in our great country.” A Justice Department spokesperson added that the perpetrator would be prosecuted “to the fullest extent of the law.”

Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, responded sharply: “Terrorism against Jews doesn’t stop at Gaza’s borders – it’s already burning through the streets of America. Make no mistake: this was not a political protest. It was terrorism.”

Local authorities urged residents of Boulder, a city of 100,000 located northwest of Denver, to avoid the area while investigations continue. The response remains in full force amid international tensions surrounding what many now officially describe as a terrorist act.