FBI, police respond to ‘terror attack’ in Colorado
BOULDER, COLORADO—Eight people were injured and some may have been set on fire at a popular outdoor mall in Boulder, Colorado, in an incident described by the FBI as a “targeted terror attack.”
FBI special agent in charge of the Denver Field Office, Mark Michalek, said a 45-year-old man identified as Mohamed Soliman was arrested shortly after the attack.
Investigators said someone shouted “Free Palestine” before incendiary devices were thrown into a crowd at the Pearl Street Mall, where demonstrators from the group “Run for Their Lives” had gathered to call for the release of hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza.
In a statement, the group said walks had been held every week at the mall “without any violent incidents until today.”
FBI Director Kash Patel described the incident as a “targeted terror attack,” while Colorado Atty. Gen. Phil Weiser said it appeared to be “a hate crime given the group that was targeted.”
Sunday’s attack also occurred as law enforcement authorities in the United States grapples with a spike in antisemitic violence.
Embassy staff killing
Last week, a man was arrested on charges in the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy staffers. The suspect shouted “Free Palestine” as he was being led away by police.
Boulder police said there were “several victims” in the attack. The injuries authorities found were consistent with reports of individuals being set on fire, Redfearn said, adding that injuries ranged from serious to minor.
Four women and four men between 52 and 88 years old were transported to hospitals, Boulder police said. Authorities earlier put the count of the injured at six and said at least one of them was in a critical condition.
Multiple blocks of the pedestrian mall area were evacuated by police. The scene shortly after the attack was tense, as law enforcement agents with a police dog walked through the streets looking for threats and instructed the public to stay clear of the pedestrian mall.
