Latest news with #Molotovcocktail
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
‘Makeshift flamethrower' attacker facing US federal hate charges
A K9 unit assisted the investigation following an attack at an event supporting Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Boulder, Colorado. (AP pic) BOULDER : The man suspected of a Molotov cocktail attack on Jewish protesters in Colorado was facing federal hate crime charges on Monday, with the government saying he was in the US illegally. Mohamed Sabry Soliman is alleged to have thrown Molotov cocktails and sprayed burning gasoline in Boulder on Sunday at a gathering in support of Israeli hostages held by the Hamas armed group. Eight people were hurt in the attack – four men and four women – with the oldest reportedly being 88 years old. FBI agent Mark Michalek said the suspect used 'a makeshift flamethrower' and 'was heard to yell: 'Free Palestine,'' during the incident. An FBI affidavit said Soliman had been planning the assault for a year. 'He stated that he wanted to kill all Zionist people and wished they were all dead,' the affidavit says. 'He hated this group and needed to stop them from taking over 'our land,' which he explained to be Palestine.' Agents said they had found at least 14 unused Molotov cocktails and a backpack weed sprayer containing gasoline. US homeland security officials said he was in the country illegally, having overstayed a tourist visa, but that he had applied for asylum in September 2022. President Donald Trump lashed out at his predecessor, Joe Biden, over the incident. 'Yesterday's horrific attack in Boulder, Colorado, WILL NOT BE TOLERATED in the United States of America,' Trump said on his Truth Social network, describing it as a 'terrible tragedy.' He blamed 'Biden's ridiculous Open Border Policy' for allowing Soliman into the country. 'This is yet another example of why we must keep our Borders SECURE, and deport Illegal, Anti-American Radicals from our Homeland,' he wrote. The attack occurred on Sunday afternoon during a regular demonstration in support of hostages taken in the assault on Israel by Hamas gunmen on Oct 7, 2023. In one video that purportedly shows the attack, a shirtless man holding bottles in his hands is seen pacing as the grass in front of him burns. He can be heard screaming 'End Zionists!' and 'They are killers!' towards several people in red T-shirts as they tend to a person lying on the ground. Other images showed billowing black smoke. In another video, a police officer rushes to arrest the same man, who is lying on the grass. Several people are milling around nearby. Boulder Police chief Steve Redfearn told reporters that 'at least one victim was very seriously injured, probably safe to say critical condition.' The suspect was also injured before being taken into custody, Redfearn said. Boulder resident Alexis Cendon said he felt 'very, very scared' after hearing about the attack near his workplace. Sunday's attack occurred during the Jewish holiday of Shavuot. It comes almost two weeks after the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy staffers outside a Jewish museum in Washington, where a 31-year-old suspect, who shouted 'Free Palestine,' was arrested. Israel's top diplomat Gideon Saar condemned Sunday's 'terrible antisemitic terror attack targeting Jews in Boulder.' Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon also voiced outrage. 'Terrorism against Jews does not stop at the Gaza border – it is already burning the streets of America,' he said in a statement.
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.
