In a troubling incident in Boulder, Colorado, eight individuals sustained injuries when a 45-year-old man shouted “Free Palestine” and launched incendiary devices into a gathering. This demonstration was intended to honor Israeli hostages still held in Gaza, as reported by U.S. authorities.
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The victims, four women and four men aged between 52 and 88, were promptly transported to hospitals for treatment, according to Boulder police. Initially, six injuries were reported, with at least one person in critical condition.
FBI Special Agent Mark Michalek confirmed, “Given the preliminary facts, it is evident this is a targeted act of violence, and the FBI is treating it as an act of terrorism.” He identified the suspect as Mohamed Soliman, who was hospitalized shortly after the incident.
FBI Director Kash Patel echoed this sentiment, labeling the event as a “targeted terror attack.” Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser further stated, “It appears to be a hate crime, considering the group that was targeted.”
In a tweet, Patel assured the public: “We are aware of and fully investigating a targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado. Our agents and local law enforcement are already on the scene, and we will provide updates as more information becomes available.” @FBI
Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn expressed confidence that they had apprehended the lone suspect involved, remarking, “This was a beautiful Sunday afternoon in downtown Boulder on Pearl Street, and this act was unacceptable.” He urged the community to keep the victims and their families in their thoughts during this tragic time.
This incident unfolds amidst rising tensions in the U.S. regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has led to an increase in anti-Semitic hate crimes. Some conservative supporters of Israel, including former President Donald Trump, have sought to frame pro-Palestinian protests as anti-Semitic, with his administration previously taking measures that hindered demonstrators’ rights.
Following the incident, police cordoned off downtown Boulder for safety precautions.
Brooke Coffman, a 19-year-old student at the University of Colorado, recounted harrowing details. She described seeing four women lying or sitting on the ground, suffering from burns, one of whom appeared severely injured and was wrapped in a flag. “It was chaos,” she remembered. “Everybody was yelling, ‘get water, get water.'”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a prominent figure in the Jewish community, stated, “This is horrifying, and this cannot continue. We must stand up to anti-Semitism.”
The Boulder attack came on the heels of another violent episode last month, where a Chicago-born man was arrested for fatally shooting two employees of the Israeli embassy in Washington, D.C. This tragic shooting intensified the polarization across the country regarding the Gaza conflict.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis expressed his deep concern on social media, stating, “It is unfathomable that the Jewish community is facing another terror attack here in Boulder.”
As the community grapples with the ramifications of this unsettling event, it’s essential to reflect on the need for compassion and understanding amidst a turbulent backdrop.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring.
