Boulder Terror Vortex: Shock Grips Colorado as Attack Unfolds

On June 1, 2025, a quiet Sunday afternoon in Boulder, Colorado, was shattered into chaos as a man unleashed a violent attack on the bustling Pearl Street Mall. At approximately 2 p.m., witnesses reported a shirtless figure, later identified as 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, shouting “Free Palestine” and “End Zionists” before hurling Molotov cocktails and wielding a makeshift flamethrower. The target: a peaceful “Run for Their Lives” demonstration, a weekly walk to raise awareness for Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Six people, aged 67 to 88, suffered burns and injuries, one in critical condition, in what the FBI swiftly labeled a “targeted terror attack.”

Boulder Police swarmed the 1200, 1300, and 1400 blocks of Pearl Street, evacuating the popular pedestrian mall between Walnut and Pine. Crime scene tape cordoned off the area as tactical teams and anti-bomb robotics rolled in, a stark contrast to the usual vibrancy of this Colorado hotspot. The suspect, Soliman, was arrested at the scene and treated for minor injuries, according to Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn.

The Attack: Fire and Fury on Pearl Street

The assault struck during a routine gathering organized by the Boulder Jewish Community and the “Run for Their Lives” initiative. Demonstrators, including a Holocaust survivor among the victims, marched to highlight the plight of 58 Israeli hostages still held in Gaza. Suddenly, chaos erupted. Witnesses described a man—later confirmed as Mohamed Sabry Soliman—emerging with a makeshift flamethrower, a crude device spewing flames, and lobbing Molotov cocktails, glass bottles filled with flammable liquid, into the crowd.

“People were screaming, running in every direction,” one onlooker told CBS Colorado. “I saw flames and smoke—then four women on the ground, clutching their legs in pain.” Six victims, all elderly, suffered injuries ranging from minor burns to critical wounds. Four were rushed to Boulder Community Hospital, while two were airlifted to the burn unit at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora, officials confirmed at Sunday’s news conference.

Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn addressed the press, calling the act “unacceptable” on a “beautiful Sunday afternoon.” While he cautioned it was “way too early to speculate motive,” FBI Director Kash Patel took to X, declaring, “We are aware of and fully investigating a targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado.” Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser added fuel to the fire, stating, “This appears to be a hate crime given the group that was targeted.”

The Suspect: Mohamed Sabry Soliman

Authorities identified the suspect as 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, an Egyptian national. Fox News reported Soliman was in the U.S. illegally, having overstayed a visa, a detail now under scrutiny as the FBI probes the incident as an act of terrorism. At the scene, Soliman allegedly shouted “Free Palestine” and “Palestine is free,” per witness accounts and FBI statements, before attacking the pro-Israel demonstrators. He was taken into custody immediately, with minor injuries noted in witness videos, and is currently held as the investigation unfolds.

No formal charges have been filed as of June 2, 2025, but Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty vowed to hold the attacker “fully accountable.” The FBI’s Denver office, led by Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek, is spearheading the probe, with all necessary assets deployed. “This was a targeted act of violence,” Michalek said, echoing Patel’s stance that ideological motives are under review.

Official Response: Leaders React

Colorado Governor Jared Polis took to X on June 1, 2025, posting, “I am closely monitoring the situation in Boulder, and my thoughts go out to the people who have been injured and impacted by this heinous act of terror. Hate-filled acts of any kind are unacceptable.” In a follow-up statement, he added, “It is unfathomable that the Jewish community is facing another terror attack here in Boulder, on the eve of Shavuot, no less.”

Colorado Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennett denounced the violence, with both asserting, “There is no place for hate in our state.” U.S. Representative Joe Neguse, a Democrat, wrote on X, “We are closely monitoring, and are in contact with local law enforcement regarding the horrific attack on Pearl Street Mall. Praying hard for the victims.”

The Boulder Jewish Community issued a joint statement, expressing shock and grief, while the Anti-Defamation League, a Jewish activist group, noted on X, “We are aware of reports of an attack at today’s Boulder Run for Their Lives event.” Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard praised first responders, posting, “The @ODNIgov’s National Counterterrorism Center is working with the FBI and local law enforcement on the ground investigating the targeted terror attack.”

The Scene: Pearl Street Mall in Crisis

Pearl Street Mall, a beloved pedestrian hub in downtown Boulder, Colorado, transformed from a lively weekend spot to a crime scene in mere moments. On June 1, 2025, law enforcement officials in protective gear scoured the area, joined by FBI personnel and a bomb disposal robot, as seen in photos from Reuters and the Colorado Sun via ZUMA Press Wire. An Israeli flag lay near police tape, a poignant symbol of the targeted demonstration, captured in images by AP News and Getty Images’ Chet Strange.

Boulder Police urged locals to avoid the area, tweeting at 3:08 PM +06 on June 1, “We’re evacuating the 1200, 1300 and 1400 blocks of Pearl Street between Walnut and Pine while we continue to investigate this active incident. PLEASE AVOID THIS AREA.” The typically vibrant mall, known for street performers and shops, stood eerily silent as investigators worked through the night.

What It Means Now

This brazen attack, labeled a “targeted terror attack” by the FBI, has jolted Boulder, a city still scarred by past tragedies like the 2021 King Soopers shooting. Six elderly victims, including one in critical condition, face a long road to recovery, with burns and trauma haunting their peaceful call for hostage release. The timing—on the eve of Shavuot, a Jewish holiday—amplifies concerns of hate-driven violence, as Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser noted.

The incident raises urgent questions: Was this a lone act or part of a broader pattern? The Justice Department condemned it as a “needless act of violence,” pointing to recent attacks on Jewish Americans, including the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington, D.C., weeks prior. Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn stressed caution, but the FBI’s swift “terrorism” label signals a deep dive into ideological motives.

For Boulder, Colorado, the immediate impact is clear: heightened security, evacuations, and a shaken community. The NYPD, monitoring from afar, bolstered patrols at religious sites in New York City for Shavuot, per a June 1, 2025, tweet from @NYPDnews. Globally, the attack fuels tensions tied to the Israeli-Hamas conflict, with Colorado leaders like Weiser asserting, “Violence is never the answer to settling differences. Hate has no place in Colorado.”

A City on Edge: Investigation Underway

As of 11:03 AM +06 on June 2, 2025, the FBI and Boulder Police continue their probe, with no motive officially confirmed. The suspect, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, remains in custody, his actions—wielding a flamethrower and Molotov cocktails—etched into the memories of witnesses. Social media buzzed with 53-second videos of the aftermath, shared by verified outlets like @DenverChannel, showing chaos and victims in distress.

The six injured, aged 67 to 88, include some with burns severe enough to require airlifting to Aurora’s burn unit, per 9News. Boulder, a tight-knit community, now grapples with fear and resilience. “Boulder is strong. We have overcome tragedies together and will get through this together as a community,” Governor Polis stated, noting coordination with Mayor Brockett and federal law enforcement.

Context: A Rising Tide of Tension

This attack isn’t isolated. Just over a week ago, a Chicago man fatally shot two Israeli embassy employees in Washington, D.C., shouting, “I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza,” per police reports. The Justice Department, leading probes into racially or religiously motivated violence, decried Boulder’s incident as part of a troubling trend. The “Run for Their Lives” event, backed by Jewish-American groups, has held weekly walks nationwide, but Boulder’s assault marks a violent escalation.

The Jerusalem Post reported on June 2, 2025, that the attack, injuring a Holocaust survivor among others, stunned the global Jewish community. With no formal charges yet, the FBI’s focus on terrorism and Weiser’s “hate crime” label signal a high-stakes investigation. Civil rights groups, like the Anti-Defamation League, demand a firm response to curb rising hate-driven violence.

What’s Next: Boulder Braces

Boulder Police and the FBI pledge a relentless investigation, with tactical teams and explosive ordnance robots combing Pearl Street Mall. No additional suspects are believed to be involved, per Chief Redfearn, but the area remains locked down as of June 2, 2025. Hospitals report ongoing care for victims, with two in critical condition at Aurora’s burn unit, a grim reminder of the attack’s toll.

Colorado leaders vow unity. Governor Polis, in contact with local and federal officials, promises support, while Senators Hickenlooper and Bennett echo calls to reject hate. The Boulder Jewish Community and national groups brace for answers, as the world watches this quiet college town thrust into a global spotlight.

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