A peaceful demonstration in support of Israeli hostages in Boulder, Colorado, turned violent when a man used a flamethrower and Molotov cocktails to set people on fire in an antisemitic attack. The incident occurred during a “Run for Their Lives” event, which aimed to raise awareness about the 58 hostages still being held in Gaza.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with smoke rising and people rushing to find water to pour onto the victims. At least 12 people were injured, with two still hospitalized. The FBI is investigating the attack as an act of terrorism.
The suspect, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, had been planning the attack for nearly a year, according to federal authorities. He told investigators he “wanted to kill all Zionist people” and had targeted the group after researching them online.
Witnesses reported hearing the suspect shout “F*** you Zionists” and “You’re a killer” during the attack. One witness, Brian Horwitz, described the scene as “easily the most horrific thing I’ve ever seen in my life.”
The victims included a mother and daughter, as well as a Holocaust survivor in her 80s. The community is still reeling from the attack, but many are determined to continue showing their support for the Israeli hostages. The suspect has been charged with a federal hate crime and is facing state charges, including 16 counts of attempted first-degree murder.
As the community comes to terms with the violence, many are questioning how such an attack could occur. “There’s someone who is outraged enough to go and attack these elderly people who are doing absolutely nothing to provoke it other than walk in silence and meet in a courtyard peacefully,” Horwitz said. “It’s unbelievable.”