Latest news with #NaorBitton
CBS News
4 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
Colorado visitor from Israel rushes to help those injured in Boulder attack: "Huge ball of flames"
Bystander jumps in to help those injured in attack on Boulder's Pearl Street Bystander jumps in to help those injured in attack on Boulder's Pearl Street Bystander jumps in to help those injured in attack on Boulder's Pearl Street A man visiting Colorado from Israel was there on Sunday as the attacks happened on Boulder's Pearl Street. Naor Bitton said he joined others who rushed to help those injured and tried to put out the flames. Authorities say Mohamed Sabry Soliman allegedly was disguised as a gardener to get closer to a group holding its weekly demonstration for the release of hostages in Gaza. Soliman is accused of throwing Molotov cocktails at members of the group Run for Their Lives on Pearl Street Mall in downtown Boulder on Sunday afternoon. Crime scene tape on Pearl Street in Boulder after the attack on June 1, 2025. CBS Bitton says he tried to stay between the suspect and a crowd that wanted to go after the suspect. Bitton is from Israel but was vacationing in Boulder when he saw the demonstration march down Pearl Street. "I wanted to walk around Pearl Street, because I heard it's beautiful," Bitton said. "They had American flags. They had Israeli flags, and... a sign of bringing the hostages back home. And I was really touched." Just as soon as Bitton started talking with those in the group, the suspect allegedly began attacking the crowd. "Suddenly, I feel this immense amount of heat on my left side. I looked to my left and I see this huge ball of flames," Bitton said. Naor Bitton can be seen in this cell phone video taken after the attack on Pearl Street. He is in the center wearing khaki shorts and a short-sleeved shirt. Brian Horwitz Bitton said people were initially in shock as they worked to help others. "Four to five people with flames on their bodies, burning their hands, burning their legs, and one specific woman," Bitton said, "She was being burned alive." Quickly, Bitton said, witnesses jumped into action. "A few people tried to throw on clothes at her, like the one person, I think, even jumped to try and put out the flames," he said. That's also when Bitton says his military training kicked in as he began shouting for others to call 911. He began running to get water to try and put out flames, and then he says he got to the front of the crowd to try and stop the attacker until first responders arrived. "I was probably one of the first ones to run and get water, but everyone was there and could help, did that. And I believe that any person in my position would have done, I hope, would have done what I did," he said. Through it all, Bitton says he is grateful to be able to help anyone involved survive. Naor Bitton CBS "I think that if I hadn't been there I would, I would feel more regret than being there," Bitton added, "I'm glad that I had the opportunity to help people."
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Israeli man visiting Boulder helps victims in firebombing attack: ‘I'm used to it'
BOULDER, Colo. (KDVR) — One of the bystanders jumping in to help in Sunday's terror attack in Boulder was a man visiting from Israel. Naor Bitton tells FOX31 he is visiting the United States after finishing his military service in Israel. On Sunday, he had planned to go to Boulder for the first time. Family of Boulder attack suspect taken into immigration custody 'I was heading to Boulder because I wanted to hike in the Flatirons and, before going on the hike, I saw this beautiful city walk in Pearl Street,' Bitton said. While walking along Pearl Street, Bitton saw the Run for Their Lives Boulder weekly walk happening before him. 'I was really touched because, you know, I love my people,' Bitton said. 'Five months ago when I just arrived to the U.S., I went to New York and they had another demonstration like that. And they also do that once a week on Sundays. It was beautiful.' Bitton tells FOX31 he walked up and started talking to one of the walk participants. 'And suddenly I felt this immense heat on my left side of the body,' he said. 'I turn left and I see this huge fireball engulfing like the center of the group. People started to disperse. There were a few people that were set on fire hands, legs and one elderly woman, I was told she was 88 years old, she was completely engulfed in flames. It was terrible to watch.' Footage from witnesses captures Bittom in the midst of what police have identified as an act of terror. 'We tried to put out the flames with the clothes and there was one guy that even jumped on her and tried to pat her, but it didn't work because of the gasoline, so she was continuously burning,' he said. 'I understood we needed water and a lot of water. So I started running back and forth, shouting at people to bring water, to call 911. First, it seemed like they were in shock. They didn't really respond.' Bitton said he ran back and forth to bring water until the flames stopped burning the elderly woman before him. Burn surgeon speaks on Boulder terror attack victims recovery while few still remain in hospital 'After we finished putting her out of flames, I looked at the at the attacker and I see him standing with two gasoline bottles in his hands, chanting, 'Free Palestine,' chanting, 'I did it,' and 'I'll do it again.' And there were still active fire spots on the scene and people were trying to approach him. And it seemed like that's a no go.' Bitton said he tried to create distance between the accused attacker and those around him. 'I'm just glad I could help,' he said. 'Instead of saying the wrong place, wrong time. I feel that I would have regretted not being there and being able to help.' Bitton said that he was able to jump into action, not freeze in shock, because, while saddening, this act was not shocking to him. 'The simple answer is that I'm used to it,' he said. 'We are used to it. In Israel, terror is sadly very common in Israel. I was really sad when it happened. But I was not surprised. It was not. I mean, you know, having it happen in the States is surprising. But it wasn't, I wasn't knocked off my feet. ' Bitton is in the United States for three more weeks before he goes back home to Israel. He tells FOX31 he served in the military for five years, and he is using his experience to pursue a passion for becoming a discipline coach. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
