Latest news with #BrookeCoffman
News18
3 days ago
- News18
What Is A Molotov Cocktail, Used By Suspect To Attack Pro-Israel Protestors In Colorado?
Last Updated: In Boulder, Colorado, Mohamed Sabry Soliman threw Molotov cocktails at a demonstration for Israeli hostages in Gaza, injuring six. A violent incident unfolded in Boulder, Colorado, during a demonstration to remember the Israeli hostages who remain in Gaza, when a man threw incendiary devices into a crowd, leaving six injured. The police officials and FBI are investigating as an act of terrorism. The suspect, identified as 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, yelled 'Free Palestine" and threw Molotov cocktails at participants, causing multiple injuries, including severe burns. The suspect was apprehended at the scene. Several videos have emerged on social media showing the suspect holding Molotov cocktails in his hand. The 45-year-old was himself also reportedly injured. What Happened In Boulder? According to the witnesses, a man threw an object similar to a homemade Molotov cocktail at the protesters who were peacefully demanding the release of Israeli hostages who have been held captive by Hamas. The videos surfacing from the spot of the attack showed people in panic as they ran to safety. Brooke Coffman, a 19-year-old at the University of Colorado who witnessed the Boulder incident, told news agency Reuters she saw four women lying or sitting on the ground with burns on their legs. One of them appeared to have been badly burned on most of her body and had been wrapped in a flag by someone, she said. She described seeing a man whom she presumed to be the attacker standing in the courtyard shirtless, holding a glass bottle of clear liquid and shouting. 'Everybody is yelling, 'get water, get water,'" Coffman said. A Molotov cocktail is a basic homemade firebomb. It's usually a glass bottle packed with a flammable liquid like gasoline, alcohol, or kerosene, and then sealed with a cloth wick. The wick is ignited before the bottle is thrown, and upon impact, the bottle shatters, dispersing the burning liquid and causing a fireball effect. According to the American historian William Trotter, the phrase comes from Finnish, where it is called 'Molotovin koktaili." The term was coined by the Finns during the Winter War (1939–1940) between Finland and the Soviet Union. Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov had claimed that Soviet bombers were delivering 'airborne humanitarian food parcels' to Finland. In response, the Finns sarcastically dubbed the Soviet bombs 'Molotov's bread baskets' and began referring to their homemade incendiary devices as 'Molotov cocktails'—a drink to accompany Molotov's 'food parcels'. The outnumbered Finnish population developed the firebomb as a means to easily attack and destroy Soviet tanks, which were fueled by gasoline and were extremely flammable. Over time, the Molotov cocktail became a symbol of resistance against oppressive regimes. It was used by various groups, including the Hungarian revolutionaries in 1956, the Czechoslovakians during the Prague Spring, and the Palestinians in their struggle against Israeli forces. In recent history, it has been employed in protests worldwide, from the George Floyd protests in the US to the 2019–2020 Hong Kong protests. First Published:
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Targeted terror attack': Multiple victims set on fire with ‘incendiary device'
'When we arrived we encountered multiple victims ... with injuries consistent with burns and other injuries,' Redfearn said. A large area of the Boulder pedestrian shopping district has been closed off, with businesses closed. People have been asked to avoid the area, which Redfearn said was 'not safe yet', as police were also dealing with a vehicle of interest. Officers were wearing bomb suits. University student Brooke Coffman said she saw four women lying or sitting on the ground with burns on their legs after the attack. One of them appeared to have been badly burnt on most of her body and had been wrapped in a flag by someone, she said. She described seeing a man whom she presumed to be the attacker standing in the courtyard shirtless, holding a glass bottle of clear liquid and shouting. 'Everybody is yelling, 'Get water, get water,'' Coffman said. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a prominent Jewish Democrat, said he was closely monitoring the situation. 'This is horrifying, and this cannot continue. We must stand up to antisemitism.' Colorado Governor Jared Polis said he was 'closely monitoring' the situation, adding that 'hate-filled acts of any kind are unacceptable'.
NBC News
3 days ago
- NBC News
Witness describes the attack on Israeli hostage advocates in Colorado
"I saw this big fire go up," a witness, Brooke Coffman, described the scene during a fire-related attack on Israeli hostage advocates in Boulder, Colorado.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Witnesses recount moment hate-filled suspect launched Molotov cocktails at pro-Israel rally in Boulder, Colorado
Witnesses have recounted the horrific moment a hate-filled man unleashed a terror at Boulder's iconic Pearl Street Mall on Sunday, shattering the calm of the usually peaceful college mountain town with Molotov cocktails. It was just after 1pm when dozens had gathered under clear Colorado skies, walking silently, holding signs and Israeli flags, in a somber march to remember the hostages still held captive in Gaza. The group, organized by Run For Their Lives, had made such silent walks a weekly ritual since October 7 in a determined show of solidarity. But what had been a peaceful demonstration suddenly turned into a scene of devastation in an instant. 'So we stood up, lined up in front of the old Boulder courthouse, and I was actually on the far west side. And there was somebody there that I didn't even notice, although he was making a lot of noise, but I'm just focused on my job of being quiet and getting lined up,' Ed Victor, a participant in the walk, told CBS Colorado. 'And, from my point of view, all of a sudden, I felt the heat. It was a Molotov cocktail equivalent, a gas bomb in a glass jar, thrown. Av [another marcher] saw it, a big flame as high as a tree, and all I saw was someone on fire,' Victor added. Brooke Coffman also saw the commotion by the courthouse and thought someone was 'getting beat up.' 'I saw this big fire go up,' Coffman told 9News. She explained how she saw two women 'rolling around a little bit' in their underwear after having their burning clothes stripped off with 'really bad burns all up on their legs.' Coffman also said another woman was screaming with burns on her legs, while another's face could barely be made out. Another woman's hair was also burned off. Nearby, Rachel Navarro had just entered the mall when chaos erupted. 'I saw a woman on the ground in severe condition, and two others whose calves were badly burned. The man was still there, spraying the fire with what looked like alcohol, trying to keep it going,' Navarro said to Fox 31. Another local said the town of Boulder had 'changed' recently. 'Boulder has changed. Pearl Street has changed. It's dirtier than it used to be. It's not as safe as it used to be,' the man said to CBS News. Witnesses say the shirtless suspect, carrying bottles that appeared to be filled with alcohol, hurled the makeshift explosives at the crowd. Flames ignited instantly, consuming the pavement and injuring multiple people. Terrified bystanders rushed to help, dousing the fires and assisting the wounded as thick smoke filled the air. Shocking video captured the aftermath which saw victims lying motionless on the ground near Israeli flags, their clothing scorched, as first responders worked to stabilize them. Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn confirmed that injuries ranged from minor to potentially life-threatening. He added that the suspect was taken into custody without further incident and transported to a hospital with minor injuries. Authorities are withholding his identity as the investigation unfolds. FBI Director Kash Patel quickly labeled the event a 'targeted terror attack' and announced that federal agents were on the scene alongside Boulder police. 'We are aware of and fully investigating a targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado,' Patel said in a statement on X. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino echoed the urgency, calling it an act of terrorism: 'All of the necessary assets will be dedicated to this investigation. If you aided or abetted this attack, we will find you. You cannot hide.' Colorado Governor Jared Polis, himself a member of the Jewish faith, issued a forceful condemnation on social media. 'I am closely monitoring the situation in Boulder, and my thoughts go out to the people who have been injured and impacted by this heinous act of terror,' he posted on X. Later, in a personal statement on Facebook, he wrote: 'This vicious act of terrorism, on the eve of Shavuot no less, against peaceful marchers drawing attention to hostages held by Hamas, is unfathomable.' The Jewish community of Boulder also responded swiftly in a statement. A victim can be seen being doused with water, left, as the suspect continues to rage, center '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. Our hearts go out to those who witnessed this horrible attack, and prayers for a speedy recovery to those who were injured.' Run For Their Lives, the group organizing the walk also emphasized the peaceful nature of the event. 'This is not a protest; it is a peaceful walk to show solidarity with the hostages and their families, and a plea for their release.' They group gathered at 1pm at Pearl and 8th Streets, intending to walk the length of Pearl Street Mall and back, with a stop at the old courthouse to sing songs, tell stories, and read the names of those hostages still in captivity in Gaza.
