Six people injured in 'targeted' attack in Boulder, Colorado

RNZ News

2 days ago

A bomb squad team at a staging area, following an attack on a pro-Israeli demonstration, in the US city of Boulder, Colorado, on 1 June.
Photo:
AFP/ Getty Images - Chet Strange
A man reportedly set people on fire in the US city of Boulder, Colorado, leaving multiple individuals injured, the city's police chief said, as people gathered for a 'peaceful' pro-Israeli demonstration.
A suspect is in custody and police are investigating what FBI officials immediately called "a targeted terror attack" - though the local authorities said it was too early to define the attack.
"When we arrived, we encountered multiple victims ... with injuries consistent with burns and other injuries," Boulder police chief Stephen Redfearn said on Sunday (US time).
The man threw bottles that apparently contained flammable liquid that hit the ground and exploded in flames, multiple law enforcement officials briefed on the investigation told CNN, noting the exact number of bottles was unclear.
The reported attack took place at the Boulder Run for Their Lives event, the Anti-Defamation League said on social media. The weekly gathering of Jewish community members is meant to support the hostages taken during the 7 October attacks in Israel, in 2023.
The ADL noted that the incident happened ahead of the holiday of Shavuot, according to the ADL - a Jewish holiday which celebrates the giving of the Torah to the Jewish people on Mount Sinai.
Six victims, ranging in age from 67 to 88, were injured in the Sunday attack, according to the FBI.
One victim was "very seriously injured," according to Redfearn. Four victims were taken to Boulder Community Hospital. Two victims were airlifted to the Denver metro area, the chief said. All six victims are still being treated.
"Our thoughts are heavily focused on their recovery," he added.
"We are saddened and heartbroken to learn that an incendiary device was thrown at walkers at the Run for Their Lives walk on Pearl Street as they were raising awareness for the hostages still held in Gaza," Boulder's Jewish community said in a joint statement to CNN.
CNN reported that Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, was the suspect in the attack and reportedly used what authorities called "a makeshift flamethrower".
"This attack happened at a regularly scheduled, weekly peaceful event," FBI Denver Special Agent-in-Charge Mark D Michalek said during a news conference on Sunday.
"Witnesses are reporting that the subject used a makeshift flamethrower and threw an incendiary device into the crowd."
It is unclear if Soliman has an attorney at this time. Authorities said Soliman was injured during the attack and was taken to a hospital.
"The FBI shares in the sorrow of the Boulder community, especially to those who have family or friends injured in this tragedy," Michalek said.
"At this point, we do not believe that there is an additional suspect at large," Police Chief Redfearn said.
When asked if there was evidence the suspect acted as part of a "greater network" or specific group, Michalek said, "Not at this time."
"The subject is in custody, but this will be a thorough and complete investigation, and those checks are ongoing," Michalek said.
A witness to the attack described seeing a "big fire go up", they told Colorado TV station KUSA.
Brooke Coffman said she was on the phone with her mother during her lunch break, approximately 100 to 150 feet away from the Boulder courthouse, when she "saw some flags moving around," "people wrestling," and "like someone was getting beat up or something."
When she saw the flames, Coffman said she hung up on her mother, ran over to the area and called 911.
"There was a kid yelling, 'Call 911,'" she recalled. "People on the street were just yelling, 'Call 911.' People were running."
Coffman told KUSA she jumped over a small fence to get to two women who were "rolling around a bit" on the grass and in their underwear from stripping off their pants.
She asked how she could help and saw how extensive their burns were.
"They have really bad burns all up on their legs," she said. One of the victims was screaming and "was wrapped in a flag."
"It just wasn't a good scene and she was, definitely needed help," she said. "It was just not obviously a good thing to see."
Police at a roadblock, Boulder, Colorado.
Photo:
AFP/ Getty Images - Chet Strange
FBI agents and federal prosecutors are reviewing the circumstances of the incident to determine whether the individual will be charged with terrorism or under other possible federal criminal statutes, a source familiar with the investigation told CNN.
The source stressed potential mental health concerns had not yet been ruled out, which could factor into any charging decision.
"Department of Justice agents with local law enforcement are investigating the tragic attack in Boulder, Colorado," a Department of Justice spokesperson said in a statement.
"Our hearts and prayers go out to all those affected by this needless act of violence, which follows recent attacks against Jewish Americans. We will follow the facts and prosecute all perpetrators to the fullest extent of the law."
FBI director Kash Patel said in a social media post that "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."
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.
@FBI
FBI deputy director Dan Bongino added: "We are investigating this incident as an act of terror, and targeted violence."
Colorado Governor Jared Polis is "closely monitoring the situation," he said in a statement on Sunday.
"Hate-filled acts of any kind are unacceptable. While details emerge, the state works with local and federal law enforcement to support this investigation. More information will be provided as it becomes available," Polis added.
President Donald Trump was briefed on the attack, a White House official has told CNN.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller said the suspect had "illegally overstayed" a tourist visa.
"He was granted a tourist visa by the Biden Administration and then he illegally overstayed that visa," Miller wrote in a post on X. "In response, the Biden Administration gave him a work permit."
Miller characterized the suspect, 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, as an "illegal alien."
Law enforcement sources previously told CNN that the suspect had applied for asylum and been rejected for a visa in 2005. It was unclear how and when the suspect entered the US.
CNN has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security and ICE for information about the suspect's immigration status.
The Boulder attack comes a little over a week after the
fatal shooting of two staffers
at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, DC.
The accused gunman, Elias Rodriguez, faces several federal murder charges, after authorities say he shot Sarah Milgrim, 26, and Yaron Lischinsky, 30, as they left an event at the Jewish Museum.
Rodriguez reportedly shouted "Free Palestine" as he was arrested. The US Department of Justice is investigating the incident as an act of terrorism. Both attacks come amid heightened tensions in the US during Israel's ongoing war in Gaza.
Speaking at Sunday's news conference after the Boulder attack, the FBI's Michalek 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."
The New York Police Department said its presence has been increased at synagogues and other religious sites throughout New York City for the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, following Sunday's anti-Semitic attack in Boulder.
That included "high visibility patrols and heavy weapons terms," the Department announced in a post on X. Shavuot began Sunday evening.
Increased NYPD patrols have been sent to synagogues and mosques on multiple occasions since the start of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, on 7 October, 2023.
New York state is home to the largest population of Jews outside of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, while also boasting one of the country's largest populations of Arabs and Muslims. The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security had previously reported increased reports of anti-Semitic, Islamophobic, and anti-Arab threats following the start of the war.
- CNN