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American Press
4 days ago
- Politics
- American Press
FBI says 8 injured in Colorado attack by man with makeshift flamethrower who yelled 'Free Palestine'
(Metro Creative Services) A man with a makeshift flamethrower yelled 'Free Palestine' and hurled an incendiary device into a group that had assembled to raise attention for Israeli hostages in Gaza, law enforcement officials said Sunday. Eight people were injured, some with burns. The suspect, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, was booked into the Boulder County jail north of Denver and expected to face charges in connection with the attack the FBI was investigating as a terrorist act. Online records did not immediately show when he would make a court appearance. The burst of violence at the popular Pearl Street pedestrian mall, a four-block area in downtown Boulder, unfolded against the backdrop of a war between Israel and Hamas that continues to inflame global tensions and has contributed to a spike in antisemitic violence in the United States. The attack happened on the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, which is marked with the reading of the Torah and barely a week after a man who also yelled 'Free Palestine' was charged with fatally shooting two Israeli embassy staffers outside of a Jewish museum in Washington. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement Monday saying he, his wife and the entire nation of Israel were praying for the full recovery of the people wounded in the 'vicious terror attack' in Colorado. 'This attack was aimed against peaceful people who wished to express their solidarity with the hostages held by Hamas, simply because they were Jews,' Netanyahu said. Attack leads to increased security elsewhere Across the U.S., the New York Police Department said it has upped its presence at religious sites throughout the city for Shavuot. 'Sadly, attacks like this are becoming too common across the country,' said Mark Michalek, the special agent in charge of the FBI's Denver field office, which encompasses Boulder. 'This is an example of how perpetrators of violence continue to threaten communities across the nation.' The eight victims who were wounded range in age from 52 to 88 and the injuries spanned from serious to minor, officials said. The attack occurred as people with a volunteer group called Run For Their Lives was concluding their weekly demonstration to raise visibility for the hostages who remain in Gaza. Video from the scene shows a witness shouting, 'He's right there. He's throwing Molotov cocktails,' as a police officer with his gun drawn advances on a bare-chested suspect who is holding containers in each hand. Alex Osante of San Diego said he was having lunch on a restaurant patio across the pedestrian mall when he heard the crash of a bottle breaking on the ground, a 'boom' sound followed by people yelling and screaming. In video of the scene captured by Osante, people could be seen pouring water on a woman lying on the ground who Osante said had caught on fire during the attack. A man, who later identified himself as an Israeli visiting Boulder who decided to join the group that day, ran up to Osante on the video asking for some water to help. Suspect reemerged after initial attack before being arrested After the initial attack, Osante said the suspect went behind some bushes and then reemerged and threw a Molotov cocktail but apparently accidentally caught himself on fire as he threw it. The man then took off his shirt and what appeared to be a bulletproof vest before the police arrived. The man dropped to the ground and was arrested without any apparent resistance in the video that Osante filmed. As people tried to help the woman on the ground, another woman who appeared to be a participant in the event yelled to others out of the camera's view, defending their cause, saying they don't talk about the government but just talk about the hostages. Lynn Segal, 72, was among about 20 people who gathered Sunday. They had finished their march in front of the courthouse when a 'rope of fire' shot in front of her and then 'two big flares.' She said the scene quickly turned chaotic as people worked to find water to put out flames and find help. Segal, who said she is Jewish on her father's side and has supported the Palestinian cause for more than 40 years, was concerned that she might be accused of helping the suspect because she was wearing a pro-Palestinian shirt. 'There were people who were burning, I wanted to help,' she said. 'But I didn't want to be associated with the perpetrator.' Authorities say they believe the suspect acted alone Authorities did not disclose details about Soliman but said they believe that he acted alone and that no other suspect was being sought. No criminal charges were immediately announced but officials said they would move to hold Soliman accountable. He was also injured and was taken to the hospital to be treated, but authorities didn't elaborate on the nature of his injuries. FBI leaders immediately declared the attack an act of terrorism and the Justice Department denounced it as a 'needless act of violence, which follows recent attacks against Jewish Americans.' 'This act of terror is being investigated as an act of ideologically motivated violence based on the early information, the evidence, and witness accounts. We will speak clearly on these incidents when the facts warrant it,' FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said in a post on X. Israel's war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting about 250 others. They are still holding 58 hostages, around a third believed to be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Israel's military campaign has killed over 54,000 people in Hamas-run Gaza, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were civilians or combatants. The offensive has destroyed vast areas, displaced around 90% of the population and left people almost completely reliant on international aid. The violence comes four years after a shooting rampage at a grocery store in Boulder, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) northwest of Denver, that killed 10 people. The gunman was sentenced to life in prison for murder after a jury rejected his attempt to avoid prison time by pleading not guilty by reason of insanity. Multiple blocks of the pedestrian mall area were evacuated by police. The scene shortly after the attack was tense, as law enforcement agents with a police dog walked through the streets looking for threats and instructed the public to stay clear of the mall.
American Press
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- American Press
Calcasieu Parish Short Film Festival: Three blocks of film
(Metro Creative Services) With the eighth annual Calcasieu Parish Short Film Festival comes over 20 new short films for Southwest Louisiana residents to enjoy. The Calcasieu Parish Short Film Festival is held each year at the Brimstone Museum Annex, 900 S. Huntington St., in Sulphur. Independent filmmakers from across the country and the globe submit films that are three to 30 minutes long, or short scripts that are three to 30 pages long. This year, audiences can expect short films from eight different states, and the United Kingdom and Canada. This year's festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 31. All genres are welcome. From drama to sci-fi to documentaries, attendees can expect a well-rounded cinematic experience. The festival is split into three blocks where films will be screened, with question and answer sessions to follow each block. Block One begins at 11 a.m., Block Two at 12:40 p.m., and Block Three at 2:45 p.m. The festival ends with an awards presentation. After Block One, a special 100th anniversary screening of the 1925 silent short film 'Dr. Pickle and Mr. Pride' will be shown this year. The film features Stan Laurel, who plays Dr. Pyckle, a man who experiments with a drug that transforms him into a 'compulsive prankster.' At 2:10 p.m., the men of Filmsquatch – a podcast where SW La. natives Patrick Bennett and Kendall Fontenot watch sasquatch movies – will host a 'History of Bigfoot in Movies' panel. The Calcasieu Parish Short Film Festival is free and open to the public. The filmmakers compete for second and third-place trophies in each category, or the top prize, a 'Scallywag.' All ages are welcome, but the films are not rated , and may include violence and adult language and themes. It is recommended that minors be accompanied by an adult. The Calcasieu Parish Short Film Festival is free and open to the public.
American Press
28-05-2025
- Sport
- American Press
One-day, free Junior Golf Clinic slated for June 2
(Metro Creative Services) Special to the American Press The city of Lake Charles Partners in Parks Initiative and Mallard Golf Club are teaming up to offer a Junior Golf Clinic on Monday, June 2. This free clinic, geared towards children ages 6-14, will be held at Buddy Prejean Park, 1601 Illinois St. from 10 a.m. to noon. Attendees will learn how to play golf from Mallard Golf Club's PGA Professional, while participating in a number of fun activities and challenges. This is the perfect opportunity for campers to learn about a new sport. Golf clubs and other necessary supplies will be provided for use during the event. Lake Charles Coca Cola is partnering on this event as well to help keep the aspiring golfers hydrated. The free event is open to the public. To register for the camp, email lex@
American Press
28-05-2025
- General
- American Press
Parish's Summer Food Service Program begins June 2
(Metro Creative Services) Special to the American Press The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury Human Services Department will begin the 2025 Summer Food Service Program on Monday, June 2, at multiple Calcasieu Parish locations. Lunch will be served daily, Monday through Friday, until Friday, July 25. Sites will be closed on Thursday, June 19, for the Juneteenth holiday observance and Friday, July 4, for the Fourth of July holiday. All children ages 18 and under will receive meals at no charge. No registration is required. Program acceptance and participation requirements are the same for all children – regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, or disability. Meals will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis from 11:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. at the following locations: DeQuincy Primary School, 304 McNeese St., DeQuincy. First Baptist Church, 401 S. Huntington St., Sulphur. JI Watson Elementary School, 215 N. Kinney Ave., Iowa. Moss Bluff Middle School, 297 Park Road, Moss Bluff. Sulphur Housing Authority, 312 Brooks St., Sulphur. Sulphur High Ninth Grade Campus, 600 Willow Ave., Sulphur. Vinton Elementary School, 1610 Hampton St., Vinton. Ward 7 Recreation Community Center, 1615 Horridge St., Vinton. W.T. Henning Elementary School, 774 Henning Drive, Sulphur. Additionally, the following locations will also serve breakfast and lunch from 8-9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., respectively: Iowa High School, 401 W. Miller Ave., Iowa. Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Center, 2009 Simmons St., Lake Charles Westlake Multi-Purpose Complex, 1221 Sampson St., Westlake. Westwood Elementary School, 1900 Sampson St., Westlake. 'The Summer Food Service Program plays a vital role in supporting children across our community when school is out,' said Felicia Davis, program c9ordinator. 'Last year, we served more than 22,842 breakfasts and 38,950 lunches — ensuring that thousands of children had access to nutritious meals during the summer months.' All food must be eaten on site – no food can be taken out of the facility. For more information, call 337-721-4030 ext. 511. To see a map of feeding sites, visit
American Press
27-05-2025
- American Press
Welsh man admits guilt for indecent behavior with a juvenile charge
(Metro Creative Services) A Welsh man has been sentenced in the 31st Judicial District Court for inappropriate contact with an underaged victim. Joshua J. Cormier, 45, who pleaded guilty to indecent behavior with a juvenile, was arrested on the charges last November, according to information released by Jeff Davis Parish District Attorney Lauren Heinen. District Judge Steve Gunnel recently sentenced Cormier to seven years of hard labor with the Department of Corrections. Gunnel suspended all but five years of the sentence, with the stipulation that the initial two years must be served without the possibility of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence. Upon his release, Cormier will be subject to two years supervised probation and must register as a sex offender for a period of 15 years. The investigation for the case was conducted by Deputy Lisa Ivey of the Jeff Davis Parish Sheriff's Office, and the prosecution was handled by Assistant District Attorney Torrie Thibodeaux.
