A violent firebomb assault disrupted a peaceful hostage remembrance rally in Boulder, Colorado, leaving eight elderly attendees hospitalized with severe burns.
The attacker, identified as 45-year-old Mohamed Soliman, allegedly hurled incendiary devices into the crowd at the Pearl Street Mall while shouting pro-Palestinian slogans before being apprehended.
FBI Denver Field Office chief Mark Michalek confirmed the agency is treating the incident as a targeted terrorist act, with Colorado AG Phil Weiser noting clear evidence of hate crime motivations against Jewish participants.
Eyewitness Brooke Coffman, a University of Colorado student, described harrowing scenes of four women with extensive burns—one wrapped in a flag for emergency treatment—as bystanders scrambled to douse flames.
The Boulder Police Department confirmed all victims were attendees of the weekly “Run for Their Lives” vigil honoring Israeli hostages taken during Hamas’ 2023 attack. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the “cold-blooded antisemitic attack,” urging maximum prosecution under US law.
This assault has intensifies America’s polarized climate surrounding Israel’s Gaza campaign, coming weeks after a deadly shooting at a DC Jewish event. Former President Trump’s deputy chief Stephen Miller seized on unverified claims about the suspect’s immigration status to demand stricter border policies, while Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called for unified opposition to rising antisemitism. This will be Colorado’s second major antisemitic incident since 2022’s synagogue shooting.
Security Concerns Grow at Jewish Gatherings Nationwide
With the FBI leading the investigation, authorities confirmed Soliman acted alone. The incident exposes vulnerabilities at public demonstrations amid escalating Middle East-related tensions. Run for Their Lives organizers noted their global vigils had previously occurred without violence until Sunday’s firebombing. Colorado Governor Jared Polis—the nation’s first Jewish elected governor—vowed enhanced protections for vulnerable communities as federal and state agencies coordinate response efforts.
