Attack on pro-'Israel' demonstration in Colorado leaves six injured

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
2 Jun 2025 08:51

Six people were injured in Boulder, Colorado, after a man threw incendiary devices while shouting "Free Palestine" at a pro-"Israel" event, prompting an FBI terrorism investigation.

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Law enforcement officials investigate after an attack on the Pearl Street Mall Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Boulder, Colorado. (AP)

Six people were injured on Sunday after a 45-year-old man shouted "free Palestine" and threw incendiary devices into a crowd during a pro-"Israel" demonstration in Boulder, Colorado. Authorities confirmed that the FBI is treating the incident as an act of terrorism, according to Reuters.

The FBI special agent in charge of the Denver Field Office, Mark Michalek, stated that six individuals, aged between 67 and 88, were transported to hospitals. At least one was reported to be in critical condition.

"As a result of these preliminary facts, it is clear that this is a targeted act of violence and the FBI is investigating this as an act of terrorism," Michalek claimed.

The suspect was identified as Mohamed Soliman, who was hospitalized shortly after the incident. Authorities have not disclosed his motive beyond the initial statements.

" إنهم إرهابيون، كم عدد الأطفال الذين قتلتموهم؟"

اللحظات الأولى لهجوم رجل أميركي على مشاركين في مسيرة داعمة لـ"إسرائيل" في حربها على غزة، بولاية كولورادو الأميركية.#الميادين pic.twitter.com/Yx8r4TcIVR
— قناة الميادين (@AlMayadeenNews) June 1, 2025

FBI Director Kash Patel referred to the event as a “targeted terror attack,” while Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser said it appeared to be a hate crime. Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn confirmed that authorities believe Soliman acted alone.

"We're fairly confident we have the lone suspect in custody," Redfearn stated.

Israeli, US officials comment

The incident occurred at the Pearl Street Mall, a popular pedestrian shopping area near the University of Colorado. The demonstration was organized by the Run for Their Lives group, a group that holds weekly runs in support of "Israel" and Israeli captives in Gaza.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar posted on X, calling the incident a "terrible antisemitic terror attack" and describing it as "pure antisemitism".

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer echoed Sa'ar's claims, calling it an antisemitic act, and urged for national unity against hate crimes.

Similarly, Colorado Governor Jared Polis also reacted, stating on social media that it was "unfathomable that the Jewish community is facing another terror attack here in Boulder."

Brooke Coffman, a 19-year-old student at the University of Colorado, witnessed the attack and said she saw four women with burn injuries, including one whose injuries were wrapped in a flag.

Coffman also saw a shirtless man holding a glass bottle of clear liquid, yelling, while people around screamed for water. "Everybody is yelling, 'get water, get water,'" Coffman said.

Mirroring previous attacks on pro-Palestine immigrants, Trump’s former deputy chief of staff, Stephen Miller, alleged that Soliman had overstayed his visa and criticized previous immigration policies.

However, Reuters noted it could not independently verify the suspect’s immigration status. The Department of Homeland Security stated that more information would be released as it becomes available.

Israeli embassy staff shot dead

This comes as defiance of the Israeli genocide mounts in the United States, particularly amid strong government support for the Israeli occupation as it intensifies its war on the Gaza Strip.

Last month, a man identified as Elias Rodriguez shot two employees at the Israeli embassy in Washington.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the deaths in a post on X following the shooting, which occurred outside the Capital Jewish Museum, just steps from the FBI’s Washington field office.

Despite police not releasing any information regarding a possible motive, the Israeli ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, called the shooting at the time a "depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism."