Pro-Israel supporters holding a memorial for Hamas hostages in Boulder, Colorado were viciously attacked with homemade Molotov cocktails and a makeshift flamethrower, leaving six injured including children, as the suspect shouted “This will end when Palestine is free.”
Key Takeaways
- Six people, including children, were injured in a terrorist attack against pro-Israel supporters during a peaceful memorial walk for Hamas hostages in Boulder, Colorado.
- The FBI is investigating the incident as “ideologically motivated violence” after suspect Mohamed Sabry Soliman allegedly used Molotov cocktails and a makeshift flamethrower while shouting “Free Palestine.”
- A pro-Hamas protester was captured on video blaming victims for “antagonizing” the attacker, highlighting the dangerous escalation of tensions on American soil.
- The attack occurred shortly after major news outlets spread false reports about Israeli soldiers attacking Gazans, potentially inflaming anti-Israel sentiment.
- Colorado Governor Jared Polis condemned the attack, stating that hate-filled acts are unacceptable in the state.
Terror on American Streets
What began as a solemn memorial walk highlighting the plight of Israeli hostages held by Hamas suddenly erupted into chaos on a pedestrian mall in Boulder, Colorado. The suspect, identified as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, allegedly attacked the peaceful gathering with homemade incendiary devices, including Molotov cocktails and what authorities described as a makeshift flamethrower. Six people suffered injuries consistent with burns, according to law enforcement officials. Most disturbing was the reported presence of children among the victims who had gathered simply to raise awareness about hostages still being held in Gaza.
Witnesses reported that during the attack, Soliman shouted “Free Palestine” and was heard declaring, “This will end when Palestine is free,” connecting his violent actions directly to the ongoing Middle East conflict. The Boulder police quickly apprehended Soliman at the scene, preventing what could have been an even more catastrophic incident. While authorities have yet to announce formal charges, federal officials have made it clear they intend to hold the perpetrator fully accountable for what they are investigating as a potential act of domestic terrorism on American soil.
Federal Investigation Underway
The FBI has swiftly moved to categorize the Boulder attack as a suspected act of terrorism, with high-ranking officials making public statements about the nature of the incident. The investigation is focusing on the ideological motivations behind the violence, particularly given the suspect’s reported statements during the attack. The Justice Department has joined the investigation, signaling the serious nature with which federal authorities view this assault on American citizens exercising their rights to peaceful assembly.
“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,” said Dan Bongino, FBI Deputy Director.
The timing of the attack has raised additional concerns among law enforcement officials and community leaders. It occurred just hours after several major news outlets circulated what later proved to be false reports about Israeli soldiers attacking Gazans. These misleading narratives, which quickly spread across social media platforms, may have contributed to a climate of heightened tension and anti-Israel sentiment that ultimately manifested in this violent attack on American soil.
Disturbing Aftermath and Community Response
Perhaps equally troubling as the attack itself was the response captured on video from at least one pro-Hamas protester at the scene. Rather than condemning the violence, this individual was recorded blaming the victims themselves, suggesting they had “caused this” by “antagonizing” the attacker. This victim-blaming narrative represents a dangerous shift in how political violence is being normalized by some radical elements within American society. The suggestion that peaceful demonstrators somehow invited or deserved a violent attack strikes at the heart of our constitutional protections for free speech and assembly.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis issued a statement condemning the attack, emphasizing that such hate-filled acts have no place in Colorado. Local Jewish community leaders have called for increased security measures at synagogues and Jewish community centers throughout the region, fearing this attack could signal a dangerous escalation in anti-Semitic violence. “The incident has also reignited painful memories for Boulder residents,” said Jared Polis, Colorado Governor. Coming just four years after a previous mass shooting that devastated the community and left ten people dead at a local supermarket.
Growing National Security Concern
President Trump has directed homeland security officials to assess the potential for similar ideologically motivated attacks across the country. The Boulder incident represents an alarming manifestation of how international conflicts can inspire domestic terrorism on American soil. Security experts point to increasing calls for a “global intifada” on social media platforms as particularly concerning, with radical activists explicitly encouraging violence against Jewish and pro-Israel individuals and institutions worldwide. This attack demonstrates how quickly such rhetoric can translate into real-world violence against innocent Americans.
The Boulder attack also highlights the growing security challenges faced by law enforcement in protecting peaceful demonstrations in an increasingly polarized political climate. With tensions already high due to ongoing conflicts abroad, local police departments nationwide are now having to develop new strategies to safeguard legitimate protest activities while preventing violent actors from exploiting these gatherings to carry out attacks. For many Americans, particularly those in the Jewish community, the Boulder incident has deepened concerns about their safety even in typically peaceful communities.
