Latest news with #PearlStreet
CBS News
9 hours ago
- CBS News
As Boulder returns to normal after Colorado terror attack, local shop dog puts smiles on faces
It's been three days since the terror attack outside the old Boulder Courthouse in Colorado, and things on Pearl Street Mall are starting to feel somewhat normal again. Business owners and regulars still feel a sense of unease, but outside one shop, vintage clothing store Heady Bauer, there's someone who is reminding them to smile a bit each day. His name is Hammy, and his owner, known locally as 'Pinner', has had him coming by the shop for a couple of years. "He's Pearl Street's Therapy Dog," Pinner told CBS Colorado. It's a bit of a running joke, but in the last week, it's taken on a whole new meaning. CBS Pinner was outside when the attack happened on Sunday. He saw flames, followed by people screaming and others running. The initial confusion eventually gave way to a realization that something was wrong. By the time the police arrived, 15 people had been injured in the firebomb attack. The suspected attacker, 45-year-old Mohamad Soliman, is being held in Boulder County Jail, accused of a number of crimes, including attempted first-degree murder. 'Pinner' was told to close up his shop as the police expanded their perimeter, which he did with Hammy looking on. "The cops came by saying 'Hey, everyone needs to clear out' and then they wanted to sweep the place, so you're wondering if everything is still fine," he said. "When I came back to the shop, I saw Hammy standing at the front with a smile on his face, and was like 'Man, what it would be like to be a dog.'" Pinner would leave the area and eventually pour himself a drink when his nerves had subsided. The news of the tragedy started to trickle in and eventually became a worldwide headline. As he grappled with what happened on Sunday afternoon, he found a source of comfort in his loyal golden retriever. "You're just replaying things in your brain," he said. "Like, is this real? Did I really just witness that? Am I dreaming?" CBS Three days after the events, there is a makeshift memorial of flowers and Israeli flags for those injured in the attack. Tourists are returning to the Pearl Street Mall, but business owners have told CBS Colorado that a general sense of unease still permeates the area around the courthouse. "When things like that happen, it takes a while for people to settle back into it," Pinner explained. On Wednesday afternoon, those who walked near the courthouse area with a strange feeling were greeted by a friendly face: Hammy the dog. In a lot of ways, he's become something of a source of comfort for business owners and locals in the area. While they look across the parking lot towards the courthouse, they can see reminders of a tragic situation. But if they turn around, they can see Hammy and get a sense that everything is going to be okay. CBS Pearl Street, to many, is weird and wonderful. It has its good and bad, its bright spots and warts. But to those who have a business here or walk its streets regularly, it's home. It will rebuild and heal, with a community effort and occasionally, a sniff and a lick from Hammy. "It's a lot more pure and innocent with him," Pinner explained. "You see a dog and they're just happy to be existing and that's kind of beautiful."
Fox News
3 days ago
- General
- Fox News
'USAID' paperwork found in car of Boulder terror attack suspect targeting pro-Israel group
Paperwork with the word "USAID" was found in the car of Mohamed Sabry Soliman, who's accused of allegedly throwing explosives at a group in Boulder, Colorado, peacefully protesting for the release of Hamas' hostages. The incident happened on Sunday as the pro-Israel group "Run for Their Lives" was protesting on Pearl Street. Boulder police said eight people were injured in the alleged terror attack, adding that they initially received reports of a man setting people on fire. According to an arrest affidavit, law enforcement officials found paperwork with the words "USAID" inside Soliman's 2015 silver Toyota Prius. Other paperwork with the words "Israel" and "Palestine" was also allegedly found inside the Toyota Prius, in addition to a red gas container and rags. A senior State Department official told Fox News Digital that Soliman isn't a United States Agency for International Development employee. Soliman allegedly told federal and local law enforcement officials during an interview that he specifically targeted a "Zionist group" that gathered in Boulder on June 1 because he wanted to stop them from taking over "our land," which he said is "Palestine." Soliman allegedly said he was planning the attack for a year, adding he waited until his daughter graduated. "He specifically targeted the 'Zionist Group' that had gathered in Boulder having learned about the group from an online search," the affidavit stated. According to the document, he left messages to his family, a journal and an iPhone at his house in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Soliman told law enforcement officials that he would conduct the attack again, authorities said. A black plastic container was found near the location Soliman was arrested, which contained "at least" 14 unlit Molotov cocktails, according to the affidavit. Soliman was charged with murder in the first degree – deliberation with intent; murder in the first degree – extreme indifference; crimes against at-risk adults/elderly; first-degree assault – non-family; first-degree assault – heat of passion; criminal attempt to commit class one and class two felonies; and use of explosives or incendiary devices during felony. READ THE FEDERAL CHARGING DOCS: Soliman remains in jail on a $10 million bond. He was allegedly heard yelling, "Free Palestine." According to sources who spoke with Fox News, Soliman was in the United States illegally and is an Egyptian national. Soliman first came to the U.S. on Aug. 27, 2022 on a B1/B2 non-immigrant visa that expired on Feb. 26, 2023, but he didn't leave. Soliman filed a claim with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services on March 29, 2023, which authorized him to work through March 2025. FBI director Kash Patel described the incident as a terror attack in a post on X. 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 "We are aware of and fully investigating a targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado," FBI director Kash Patel said. "Our agents and local law enforcement are on the scene already, and we will share updates as more information becomes available."
Fox News
3 days ago
- General
- Fox News
New mugshot released of Boulder terror attack suspect Mohamed Sabry Soliman
Colorado authorities on Monday morning released a new mugshot showing Boulder terrorist attack suspect Mohamed Sabry Soliman. Soliman, 45, was charged with first-degree murder, crimes against at-risk adults/elderly, assault, criminal attempt to commit class one and class two felonies and use of explosives or incendiary devices during a felony. Soliman allegedly threw explosives into a crowd Sunday in Boulder as a pro-Israel group, "Run for Their Lives," participated in a gathering on Pearl Street advocating for Hamas to release Israeli hostages. The incident that the FBI described as a "targeted terror attack" left eight people, ages 52 to 88, with injuries, including one in critical condition. Police responded to the area after receiving reports of a man with a weapon setting people on fire. In a Monday update, Boulder police said no victims have died. The department will host a press conference later on Monday. Soliman was living in the United States illegally after entering on a work visa two years ago that has since expired, according to federal officials.
Al Jazeera
3 days ago
- General
- Al Jazeera
Six wounded in attack at Colorado rally for Israeli captives in Gaza
Police in the United States have arrested a male suspect after at least six people were wounded at an outdoor mall in the town of Boulder, Colorado, in an incident the FBI immediately described as a 'targeted terror attack'. The assault took place on Sunday as demonstrators with a volunteer group called Run For Their Lives gathered to raise attention to the plight of Israeli captives who remain in Gaza. The suspect, identified as 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, yelled, 'Free Palestine', and used a makeshift flamethrower in the attack, according to Mark Michalek, an FBI special agent. Soliman was taken into custody. No charges were immediately announced but officials said they expect to hold him 'fully accountable'. Soliman was also injured and was taken to hospital to be treated, but authorities did not elaborate on the nature of his injuries. Police in Boulder were more circumspect about a motive. Police Chief Steve Redfearn said it 'would be irresponsible' for him to speculate while witnesses were still being interviewed. But he noted that the group that had gathered in support of the captives had assembled peacefully and that the victims' injuries – ranging from serious to minor – were consistent with them having been set on fire. The victims were aged 67 to 88, the police said. 'This was a beautiful Sunday afternoon in downtown Boulder on Pearl Street, and this act was unacceptable,' Redfearn added. 'I ask that you join me in thinking about the victims, the families of those victims, and everyone involved in this tragedy.' The incident comes amid heightened tensions in the US over Israel's war in Gaza, which has spurred an increase in both anti-Semitic and Islamophobic violence. The US is Israel's staunchest ally, arming a military that has killed more than 54,000 people in Gaza, most of whom are women and children, and imposed a blockade that has left some 2.3 million people on the verge of famine. Hamas, meanwhile, continues to hold some 58 people it took captive during the Palestinian group's attacks in Israel on October 7, 2023. Al Jazeera's Alan Fisher, reporting from Washington, DC, said investigations were continuing in Boulder, which is located northwest of the city of Denver. 'The police received initial reports of people being set on fire at a march that has happened every weekend for the last year in support of those being held captive in Gaza,' Fisher said. 'There was a man who was pictured on social media who seemed to be carrying what appears to be two bottles of liquid, and locals are saying that that was essentially petrol bombs, Molotov cocktails, which were thrown at the crowd', he said. 'The police have confirmed that some of the injuries are serious,' Fisher added. 'At least two people, we are told locally, have been taken to hospital by helicopter.' Brooke Coffman, a 19-year-old at the University of Colorado who witnessed the attack, said 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. Colorado Governor Jared Polis said in a statement that he was 'closely monitoring' the situation, adding that 'hate-filled acts of any kind are unacceptable'. Boulder's Jewish community also condemned the attack. '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,' members of the community said in a statement.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Six Injured in Colorado Attack, Which FBI is Investigating as ‘Act of Terrorism'
Six people were injured and some may have been burned at an outdoor mall in Boulder, Colorado, authorities said on Sunday. A man was taken into custody in the attack at 13th and Pearl Street, a popular pedestrian mall downtown, police said. FBI agents are also investigating what the agency has described as a 'targeted terror attack.' A male suspect, identified as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, is in custody. All six victims, ranging in age from 67 to 88, have been transported to hospitals where they remain after the suspect threw 'an incendiary device' into the crowd, Mark Michalek, the special agent in charge of the Denver field office, said at a Sunday evening press conference. The suspect could be heard shouting 'Free Palestine,' Michalek said. No charges were immediately filed, but District Attorney Michael Dougherty said the attacker would be held 'fully accountable.' More from Rolling Stone The Supreme Court's Latest Gift to Trump Will Be 'Disastrous' for the Environment 'Disturbing': Dems Question Kash Patel's FBI Leadership at Testy Hearing Trump Issues Executive Order Ramping Up American Police State 'A man was throwing Molotov cocktails and using devices to hurt people,' Boulder Police Chief Steven Redfearn said. At least one of the victims is in serious, possibly critical condition, he said. A group of walkers participating in a Run for Their Lives event were among the people gathered on Pearl Street. The series of events are 'calling for the immediate release of the hostages held by Hamas,' according to its website. '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,' Dan Bongino, Deputy Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation said via social media. The incident occurred around 1:26 p.m., when Boulder police dispatch received several calls reporting there was 'a man with a weapon and that people were being set on fire,' Redfearn said in an earlier afternoon press conference. When police arrived on scene there were 'multiple victims' with 'injuries consistent with burns' and other injuries, which range from minor to very serious, he said. The male suspect was pointed out and was taken into custody without incident, Redfearns said, and was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. During the earlier press conference, Redfearn noted that there was a group of pro-Israel people who were holding a 'peaceful demonstration,' which 'happens frequently' in the area. Redfearn said at that time that it was too soon to determine motive. 'It would be irresponsible of me to speculate on motive this early on,' while they were still interviewing witnesses. The scene itself had been contained, Redfearns said, and police were investigating a 'vehicle of interest' in the area. Several blocks around the outdoor mall had been evacuated. '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 Director Kash Patel said on social media Sunday afternoon. The attack comes more than a week after two Israeli embassy staffers were fatally shot outside the Capital Jewish Museum. Israel's war in Gaza began on Oct. 7, 2023 when Hamas led attacks in Southern Israel, including attendees of the Supernova Festival, killing more than 1,200 civilians and abducted 251 hostages. There are 58 hostages still being held, it is unclear how many are alive, after many of the others were released following ceasefire agreements and other deals. As The Associated Press reports, Israel's military campaign has killed more than 54,000 people in Gaza, mostly women and children per Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not identify how many were civilians or combatants. Best of Rolling Stone Every Super Bowl Halftime Show, Ranked From Worst to Best The United States of Weed Gaming Levels Up
