Flames of Hate: Peace March in Boulder Shattered by Violent Firebomb Attack
A peaceful walk meant to honor Israeli hostages turned into a scene of terror on Sunday afternoon at the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, Colorado, when a man unleashed what the FBI is calling a "targeted act of violence."
According to authorities, the attacker used a makeshift flamethrower and threw Molotov cocktails into a crowd of demonstrators, setting people on fire during a silent march in support of hostages held in Gaza. Eight people—four men and four women, aged 52 to 88—were injured and transported to nearby hospitals. At least one person remains in critical condition.
The suspect has been identified as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, an Egyptian national, who had been staying in Colorado Springs. During the attack, he was allegedly shouting phrases like "Free Palestine" and "End Zionist!", according to FBI Special Agent Mike Michalek, who confirmed the incident is being investigated as an act of terrorism.
Officials revealed Soliman entered the United States in 2022 on a non-immigrant visa, which expired in early 2023. His presence in the U.S. since then has raised serious concerns, and a court-authorized FBI operation was conducted Sunday night in El Paso County, connected to the case.
The attack took place just as participants from the group Run For Their Lives were assembling for their weekly walk. The group, formed in response to the October 7 Hamas attack, meets every Sunday to draw attention to hostages still being held in Gaza. About 30 individuals had gathered to walk the length of the Pearl Street Mall, stopping to share stories, sing, and read the names of those abducted.
Witnesses described sheer panic and confusion as flames suddenly engulfed members of the crowd. Burn marks were later visible outside the historic Boulder County Courthouse. Several bystanders rushed in with water, trying to douse the flames and help the victims.
Rabbi Israel Wilhelm, who leads Chabad at the University of Colorado Boulder, confirmed that one of the victims was an 88-year-old Holocaust survivor and another was a CU professor. “She’s a deeply kind woman who once escaped the horrors of Nazi Europe,” he said.
UCHealth said two of the most seriously burned victims were flown to a burn unit, while others were treated at Boulder Community Health. The hospital confirmed later that night that all had either been transferred or released, though it didn't specify how many were discharged.
Law enforcement quickly evacuated three blocks of downtown Boulder. A vehicle of interest was found and later confirmed to belong to the suspect. The area was cleared and reopened after sunset.
Federal agents, including those from the FBI, were seen at the site within hours. FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino labeled the incident a terrorist attack, while the Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, said the National Counterterrorism Center is fully involved in the ongoing investigation.
“This was a targeted assault on a Jewish community gathering,” Gabbard said in a social media post. “Our thanks go out to the first responders and local agencies that moved swiftly to help.”
Colorado Governor Jared Polis, who is himself Jewish, condemned the act as one of pure hatred.
“On the eve of Shavuot, this attack is a gut-wrenching reminder of the antisemitism still alive in our world,” he said. “The fact that people were burned simply for standing peacefully and raising awareness about hostages is deeply disturbing. We must respond with justice, not silence.”
Run For Their Lives, the group behind the walk, emphasized their events are non-political and strictly non-violent. “This wasn’t a protest. It was a walk to show solidarity with the hostages and their families,” a spokesperson said.
Ed Victor, a participant in Sunday’s march, recalled the harrowing moment:
“We had just lined up in front of the courthouse. Suddenly, I felt this wave of intense heat. A glass jar filled with fuel had been thrown into the crowd. There was a burst of fire as tall as a tree. I turned and saw someone completely engulfed in flames.”
Victor and others acted quickly, using water and jackets to put out the fire. A marcher with medical training jumped in to treat the injured, while Victor comforted the woman’s husband. “It all happened so fast. People were screaming, running, crying,” he said.
Nearby street performer Peter Irish witnessed the aftermath:
“It was just minutes later, and the street looked like a war zone. People were rolling on the ground, burned, in shock. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
In a statement, CU System President Todd Saliman shared his support for those affected:
“This was a vicious attack on people who were peacefully standing for human rights. We cannot let this hate go unanswered.”
A joint response from Boulder’s Jewish community also expressed grief and resolve:
“We are heartbroken. Our thoughts are with the injured and the traumatized. We are coordinating with local police, the FBI, and community security organizations to ensure safety moving forward. We will not be intimidated.”
Attorney General Phil Weiser condemned the violence as a hate crime, calling for accountability:
“Differences in worldview do not justify violence. The right to peaceful assembly and free speech is fundamental. This pattern of rising hate must be stopped, and those who carry it out must face the full weight of the law.”
Description:
"A peaceful walk in Boulder, CO, turned into a horrifying scene as a suspect used firebombs in a targeted attack on Jewish demonstrators. Eight were injured. FBI confirms terrorism investigation is underway."