Six people injured in ‘targeted terror attack' in US: FBI
dpa
Washington
Six people were injured in an incident that the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) called a 'targeted terror attack' in the western state of Colorado on Sunday.
FBI special agent Mark Michalek told a press conference the attack was being treated as an act of terrorism. Witnesses told the FBI the suspect used a makeshift flamethrower and threw an incendiary device into the crowd and shouted 'Free Palestine' during the attack, Michalek said. The attack happened at a regularly scheduled peaceful event, he added.
Six people, aged between 67 and 88, were injured and taken to hospital, Michalek said.
'As a result of these preliminary facts it is clear that this is a targeted act of violence and the FBI is investigating this as an act of terrorism,' he said.
'Sadly attacks like this are becoming too common across the country. This is an example of how perpetrators of violence continue to threaten communities across our nation,' Michalek said. 'Our strength as a society comes from our shared values and our commitment to protecting one another ... Any attempt to divide us through fear or harm has no place in Boulder, in Colorado or anywhere in our nation.' FBI Director Kash Patel wrote earlier on X the agency was 'aware of and fully investigating a targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Jazeera
15 hours ago
- Al Jazeera
Chinese couple charged with smuggling toxic fungus into US
US federal prosecutors have charged two Chinese nationals with smuggling a toxic fungus into the United States, which authorities claim could be turned into a 'potential agroterrorism weapon'. The charges against Jian Yunqing, 33, and Liu Zunyong, 34, two researchers from China, were unsealed by the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan on Tuesday. The pair face additional charges of conspiracy, visa fraud and providing false statements to investigators. Prosecutors allege that Liu smuggled the fungus, called Fusarium graminearum, into the US so he could carry out research at a University of Michigan laboratory where his girlfriend, Jian, worked. Fusarium graminearum causes 'head blight', a disease in crops like wheat, barley, maize and rice, and is 'responsible for billions of dollars in economic losses worldwide each year', according to the charges. The pathogen also poses a danger to humans and livestock, and can cause 'vomiting, liver damage, and reproductive defects'. The investigation was carried out by US Customs and Border Protection and the FBI, whose mandate includes investigating foreign and economic espionage as well as counterterrorism. Jian was earlier arrested by the FBI and is due to appear in federal court this week, where her ties to the Chinese government are also under scrutiny at a time of increased paranoia within the US government about possible Chinese infiltration. Jian allegedly received funding from the Chinese government to carry out research on the same toxic fungus in China, according to the charges. The Associated Press news agency, citing the FBI, said that Liu was sent back to China from Detroit in July 2024 after airport customs authorities found the fungus in his backpack. He later admitted to bringing the material into the US to carry out research at the University of Michigan, where he had previously worked alongside his girlfriend, the AP said. During their investigation, the FBI found an article on Liu's phone titled 'Plant-Pathogen Warfare under Changing Climate Conditions'. Messages on the couple's phones also indicated that Jian was aware of the smuggling scheme, and later lied to investigators about her knowledge. It is unlikely that Liu will face extradition as the US does not have an extradition treaty with China. FBI director Kash Patel claimed on X that China was 'working around the clock to deploy operatives and researchers to infiltrate American institutions and target our food supply, which would have grave consequences'. New… I can confirm that the FBI arrested a Chinese national within the United States who allegedly smuggled a dangerous biological pathogen into the country. The individual, Yunqing Jian, is alleged to have smuggled a dangerous fungus called "Fusarium graminearum," which is an… — FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) June 3, 2025 The Chinese Embassy in Washington, DC did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The University of Michigan on Tuesday issued a brief statement condemning 'any actions that seek to cause harm, threaten national security, or undermine the university's critical public mission'. The case comes just a week after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio pledged to start 'aggressively' revoking the visas of Chinese students in the US on national security grounds. Targeted students include Chinese nationals with ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), an institution that counts about 100 million members. While some Chinese may join for ideological reasons, membership in the CCP comes with perks like access to better jobs and educational opportunities. It is not uncommon for students from elite backgrounds, like those studying in the US, to also be members of the CCP. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has previously pledged to 'firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests' of its students studying overseas following news of the visa crackdown.
Qatar Tribune
21 hours ago
- Qatar Tribune
Ukrainian secret service says it targeted pillar of key Crimea bridge
dpa Kiev The Ukrainian secret service SBU said on Tuesday it has seriously damaged a pillar of the key Russian bridge to the Crimean Peninsula by way of a targeted underwater explosion. 'The bridge is effectively in danger of collapsing,' the secret service said. A total of 1,100 kilograms of TNT was used, which had been placed over several months. The agency emphasized that no civilians were harmed in the explosion, which occurred in the morning. A video purporting to show the explosion was released as evidence. It shows water spraying and smoke. The footage was most likely taken from the base of the bridge and is current, but it does not show whether the pillar was actually damaged. The attack was not initially confirmed by the Russian side. The bridge was closed for about three hours on Tuesday morning. According to local media reports, the cause was the removal of damage caused by parts of a downed drone. Shortly afterwards, traffic across the bridge was suspended again without any reasons being given. There was talk in the media of attacks with underwater drones. Traffic resumed across the bridge in the afternoon. A hated symbol for Ukrainians, the bridge had been opened to fanfare by Vladimir Putin in 2018, and is used by Russia to supply its military in occupied parts of Ukraine. Ukraine has been defending itself against a full-scale Russian invasion for more than three years. Crimea was annexed by Russia in 2014. Kiev has already carried out several successful attacks on the combined railway and road bridge, which was completed in 2019. So far, the damage has always been repaired and the bridge has been put back into service.
Qatar Tribune
21 hours ago
- Qatar Tribune
Greta Thunberg, other activists continue their journey to Gaza by sea
Greta Thunberg and other activists have now covered about a third of their journey towards the sealed-off Gaza Strip. The sailing ship Madleen, from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, was in open sea south of the Greek Peloponnese peninsula on Tuesday afternoon, according to data from the ship's tracker. The group of 12 activists set sail from Sicily on Sunday. They say they want to bring aid supplies including baby food and medicine to people in need in the Gaza Strip. At the same time, they want to draw international attention to the humanitarian situation on the ground. Thunberg is by far the most recognizable face on board. The 22-year-old has become famous for her determined fight for more action on climate change. However, she has long been committed to the cause of the Palestinian people. The ship's aid mission is part of 'a global movement for social and climate justice, liberation and decolonization,' Thunberg wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of herself on board. 'If we are to stand on the right side of history, it is our duty and about time that we join this movement,' the post said. Israel has blocked the delivery of food, medicine and other essential goods to the Gaza Strip for almost three months as part of its war against the Palestinian Hamas movement but has recently eased the blockade somewhat. (DPA)
