'Simply because they were Jews': Boulder terror attack suspect used flamethrower
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FBI investigating 'attack at Colorado mall
The FBI is investigating a report of a "targeted attack" in a Boulder, Colorado mall.
Authorities in Colorado on Monday were investigating what the FBI described as a "targeted terror attack" in Boulder after a man with a makeshift flamethrower shouted "Free Palestine" and set eight people aflame.
The attack prompted chaos at a pedestrian mall where protesters were calling for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza. The suspect, identified by authorities as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, was taken into custody, authorities said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday expressed solidarity with the victims who were attacked "simply because they were Jews. " He said he was confident U.S. authorities would prosecute "the cold blood perpetrator to the fullest extent of the law."
"The antisemitic attacks around the world are a direct result of blood libels against the Jewish state and people, and this must be stopped," Netanyahu said in a statement.
The victims, ages 67 to 88, were transported to local hospitals with injuries ranging from serious to minor, Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said. At least two of the wounded were airlifted to a hospital in the Denver area, he said.
Sunday's attack fell on the Jewish holiday of Shavuot and came less than two weeks after two Israeli Embassy aides were fatally shot outside a Jewish museum in Washington, D.C. The Boulder attack occurred at a "regularly scheduled, weekly peaceful event," Mark Michalek, special agent in charge at the FBI's Denver field office, said during a briefing.
8 injured in Boulder: Group had gathered to support Israeli hostages
Earlier Sunday, Boulder dispatch received several calls to the county courthouse at around 1:26 p.m. local time, Redfearn said. Initial reports indicated that there was a man with a weapon, and people were being set on fire at the scene.
Responding officers encountered multiple victims who were injured with wounds consistent with burns and other injuries, Redfearn said.
Contributing: Thao Nguyen and Michael Collins, USA TODAY; Reuters
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Thank you @SecRubio for your prompt response to this invasion of our country by NGOS that have been accused of being pro-HAMAS," she wrote. "Hopefully all GAZANS will be added to President Trump's travel ban. There are doctors in other countries. The US is not the world's hospital!" Meanwhile, Representative Randy Fine, a Florida Republican, credited Loomer as the reason for the State Department's decision in a post on X on Saturday morning and wrote: "Massive credit needs to be given to [Laura Loomer] for uncovering this and making me and other officials aware. Well done, Laura." Loomer responded by thanking the congressman for "speaking out about this and sharing my report." Secretary of State Marco Rubio is seen in Washington, D.C., on August 14. Inset: Displaced Palestinians attempt to fill water containers in the Mawasi area of Khan Yunis, on August 14. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is seen in Washington, D.C., on August 14. Inset: Displaced Palestinians attempt to fill water containers in the Mawasi area of Khan Yunis, on August 14. Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images // AFP via Getty Images What People Are Saying Right-wing activist Laura Loomer on Saturday wrote on X: "There are doctors in other countries. It's incredible isn't it how Qatar and Saudi Arabia rolled out the camels, Red and purple carpets and the most luxurious gifts and decorations for President Trump and his staff in the Middle East." "If the Arabs have money to get flashy with Trump, they have money to buy some prosthetics for GAZANS or import them to their own hospitals and luxurious towns. They constantly brag about how rich they are. They want to shame the West into accepting more Muslim invaders. They think their bribes and flashy bling will make the West turn a blind eye. The Arabs need to pay up or just put their money where their mouth is and take these GAZANS they want to force on the West." Representative Randy Fine of Florida wrote on X: "BREAKING: [Donald Trump] and [Marco Rubio] have immediately halted visas to Gazans that were being issued by deep state actors while we get to the bottom of how this national security risk was allowed. Massive credit needs to be given to [Laura Loomer] for uncovering this and making me and other officials aware. Well done, Laura." What Happens Next? The Department's post indicated a review was underway but did not provide a timeline, leaving the duration and operational consequences of the pause uncertain.
