Boulder, Colorado| A peaceful weekly gathering organized by Run For Their Lives to raise awareness for Israeli hostages held in Gaza turned violent on Sunday, June 1, when a man identified as 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman allegedly launched a targeted attack at Boulder’s Pearl Street Mall.
Described by the FBI as a “targeted terror attack,” the incident left six individuals injured, some with severe burns, after the suspect deployed Molotov cocktails and a makeshift flamethrower.
The attack, which occurred during the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, has sent shockwaves through Boulder’s tight-knit community, prompting a robust federal and local investigation into the motive and circumstances surrounding this act of violence.
The Incident: A Peaceful Walk Disrupted
The attack took place at approximately 1:26 p.m. near the Boulder County Courthouse at the intersection of 13th and Pearl Streets, a bustling area known for its vibrant pedestrian mall.
Run For Their Lives, a group that organizes weekly walks to advocate for the release of approximately 58 hostages still held in Gaza following the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, was holding its regular event.
The organization emphasizes its apolitical stance, describing the walks as a “peaceful show of solidarity” with the hostages and their families, not a protest.
According to eyewitness accounts, Soliman, allegedly disguised as a landscaper, approached the group and began throwing Molotov cocktails—glass jars filled with flammable liquid—and wielding a makeshift flamethrower. The attack resulted in six injuries, with victims ranging in age from 67 to 88.
Among them was an 88-year-old Holocaust refugee, described by Rabbi Israel Wilhelm of the Chabad at the University of Colorado Boulder as a “very loving person.”
Two victims with critical burns were airlifted to the University of Colorado’s burn unit in Aurora, while the other four were transported to Boulder Community Health hospital for treatment.
Social media footage captured the chaotic aftermath, showing a shirtless man, believed to be Soliman, holding glass bottles containing a clear liquid while shouting phrases such as “Free Palestine,” “End Zionists,” and “How many children have you killed?” Bystanders scrambled to assist the injured, with some using water to extinguish flames on victims.
Lynn Segal, a witness, likened the attack to a “fireball” and described a “gun of fire” targeting the group. Another participant, identified as Victor, recounted the harrowing sight of a victim engulfed in flames and the desperate efforts to aid them.
Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn reported that officers responded swiftly to emergency calls reporting a man setting people on fire.
Bystanders identified Soliman, who was apprehended without incident and later hospitalized for minor injuries, though details about his condition remain undisclosed.
The FBI, led by Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek, is treating the incident as an act of terrorism due to its targeted nature, while Chief Redfearn cautioned that the motive remains under investigation, urging patience as authorities gather evidence.
Official Responses: Condemnation and Calls for Justice
The attack prompted swift condemnation from federal, state, and local officials. FBI Director Kash Patel posted on social media, stating, “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.”
Deputy Director Dan Bongino classified the incident as “ideologically motivated violence,” citing preliminary evidence and witness statements.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis expressed solidarity with the victims, saying, “My thoughts go out to the people who have been injured and impacted by this heinous act of terror. Hate-filled acts of any kind are unacceptable. While details emerge, the state works with local and federal law enforcement to support this investigation.”
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser suggested the attack may constitute a hate crime, noting the targeted nature of the violence against a Jewish group.
“People may have differing views about world events and the Israeli-Hamas conflict, but violence is never the answer. Hate has no place in Colorado,” Weiser stated.
At the federal level, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer described the attack as “horrifying” and an act of antisemitism, calling for unity against such violence: “This cannot continue. We must stand up to antisemitism.” Internationally, Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar labeled the incident a “terrible antisemitic terror attack targeting Jews,” attributing it to “antisemitic tropes spread in the media.”
The Israeli consulate in Los Angeles and the Israeli-American Council issued statements condemning the violence and expressing support for Boulder’s Jewish community.
Community Impact: Shock and Resilience
The attack’s timing on the first day of Shavuot, a Jewish holiday commemorating the giving of the Torah, amplified its impact on Boulder’s Jewish community.
Rachel Amaru, lead organizer of Boulder’s Run For Their Lives chapter, issued a statement underscoring the group’s mission: “We are an apolitical organization with the singular mission to raise awareness for the 58 hostages still in captivity. We hope and believe that at least 20 of them are still alive, and we walk for the release of them all from the tunnels in Gaza.” Amaru expressed concern for the hospitalized victims and called for community unity in the wake of the tragedy.
Eyewitnesses described a scene of both panic and heroism. Brooke Coffman, a 19-year-old University of Colorado student, witnessed four women with burns, one severely injured and wrapped in a flag. Street performer Peter Irish, who arrived shortly after the attack, described “chaos” with victims “writhing on the ground.”
Johanna Schmidt, whose parents were among the injured, recounted her father’s second-degree burn to his leg and the rapid response of emergency services near the courthouse.
The attack spurred expressions of defiance from community members. Alexandra Posnack, a 19-year-old Boulder resident who learned of the incident through friends, vowed to join the next walk, stating, “I’m horrified and I’m also enraged, and I will be back here next week to protest with my big-ass Israeli flag. Jews can’t afford to be scared.”
The Anti-Defamation League condemned the attack, noting that it targeted a “weekly meeting of Jewish community members” and highlighting the suspect’s alleged anti-Zionist remarks.
Investigation and Security Measures
The FBI is conducting “court-authorized law enforcement activity” in El Paso County, Colorado, in connection with the attack, though specifics remain undisclosed.
Authorities, including canine units and bomb squads, cordoned off multiple blocks of the Pearl Street Mall, from the 1200 to 1400 blocks between Walnut and Pine Streets, to search for additional explosive devices.
The Boulder County Courthouse remained closed on Monday, June 2, as the investigation continued.
Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty announced that charges against Soliman are expected soon, with officials committed to holding him “fully accountable.”
Unconfirmed reports, including from Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin, suggest Soliman may be an Egyptian national who entered the U.S. illegally in 2022 and overstayed his visa.
The Department of Homeland Security has promised to release more information as it becomes available but has not verified these claims.
Broader Context: Rising Tensions and Past Tragedies
The Boulder attack occurs amid heightened tensions surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict, which has fueled a rise in both antisemitic and anti-Palestinian incidents globally.
Recent events, such as the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy employees in Washington, D.C., last month and an attempted firebombing of a U.S. Embassy branch in Tel Aviv, have underscored the volatility of such gatherings.
Boulder itself is no stranger to tragedy, with the 2021 King Soopers grocery store shooting, which claimed 10 lives, still fresh in the community’s memory.
Social media reactions have been deeply polarized. Some posts on X framed the attack as a consequence of the Israel-Hamas conflict, with activist Shaun King arguing that the “genocide” in Gaza is driving individuals to extreme actions, though he condemned the use of fire against protesters.
Others, including conservative commentators, called for stricter immigration policies and enhanced security measures, citing the attack as evidence of systemic failures.
Community Resilience and Path Forward
Despite the trauma, Boulder’s Jewish community and Run For Their Lives remain steadfast. The group’s statement reaffirmed their commitment: “Our hope is that we come together for one another. Strength to you all.”
Local resident Henry Bonn-Elchones, who witnessed the aftermath, expressed confidence in the city’s ability to heal, saying, “It’s crazy that Boulder seems to be going through a lot of trouble right now, but we’ll recover.”
As authorities continue their investigation, they are urging anyone with information or video footage to contact the FBI at fbi.gov/boulderattack.
The incident has reignited debates about hate crimes, terrorism, and the safety of public gatherings, leaving Boulder to navigate the aftermath of an attack that targeted a moment of compassion and solidarity.
The community’s response, marked by resilience and determination, signals a commitment to unity in the face of adversity.
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