An incident, which the FBI is investigating as a "targeted terror attack," occurred in Boulder, Colorado, when a man attacked a pro-Israel event with petrol bombs and a makeshift flamethrower on Sunday, June 1st, 2025, around 1:26 PM local time. FBI Director Kash Patel stated that agents were on the scene collaborating with local law enforcement.

The attack took place at 13th and Pearl streets, during a weekly peaceful walk organized by "Run For Their Lives," an American Jewish organization advocating for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza. The suspect, identified as 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, allegedly shouted "Free Palestine" and "End Zionists!" while using Molotov cocktails and an incendiary device against the attendees. Video from the scene showed a bare-chested man, presumed to be Soliman, shouting and holding bottles near a fire on the grass.

Eight people—four women and four men, aged between 52 and 88—were injured in the attack, suffering from burns and other injuries. Some victims were airlifted to hospitals, with injuries ranging from "very serious" to "minor." Initial reports had cited six people injured, with at least one in critical condition. All injured individuals required hospitalization.

Mohamed Sabry Soliman was arrested at the scene and was also taken to hospital. Law enforcement officials described him as an Egyptian national who seemingly acted alone and had no previous significant contact with law enforcement. According to a White House statement cited in one report, Soliman was described as an "illegal alien" who had overstayed a tourist visa but had received a work permit under the Biden administration.

Eyewitnesses provided harrowing accounts of the attack. One witness saw the suspect throw Molotov cocktails into the group, resulting in one woman being lit "on fire from head to toe." Another account described the attacker emerging from bushes, throwing another incendiary device, and accidentally setting himself on fire. He reportedly wore a vest, which he removed after catching fire, and was then shirtless. Brooke Coffman, a 19-year-old student, saw four women on the ground with burns, one appearing badly burned and wrapped in a flag. Other witnesses reported seeing "shoots of fire, linear, about 20 feet long."

Local law enforcement, including Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn, responded quickly to the incident. A large part of downtown Boulder was cordoned off as bomb squads and sniffer dogs searched for potential additional devices. Chief Redfearn confirmed that multiple victims were found with burn injuries upon arrival and stated, "We're fairly confident we have the lone suspect in custody." Police believe no one else was involved in the attack.

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser stated that the incident "appears to be a hate crime given the group that was targeted." Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty affirmed a unified approach among agencies "to hold the attacker fully accountable."

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that her department was collaborating with the FBI and other agencies. Similarly, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard acknowledged that the National Counterterrorism Center was working with authorities on the investigation, thanking first responders for their quick action.

The attack drew condemnation from various quarters. A statement from Boulder's Jewish community noted that "an incendiary device was thrown at walkers at the Run for Their Lives walk on Pearl Street." Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer described it as an "antisemitic attack," stating, "This is horrifying, and this cannot continue. We must stand up to antisemitism." Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar also condemned the incident on X as a "terrible antisemitic terror attack" and "pure antisemitism."

Boulder, a university city of about 105,000 people located northwest of Denver, is the setting for this attack, which occurs amidst simmering tensions in the United States over the Israel-Gaza conflict and a reported increase in antisemitic hate crimes. One report contextualized the situation by mentioning that "President Trump's administration has detained protesters without charge and pulled funding from elite universities that have permitted such demonstrations," highlighting moves by some supporters of Israel to brand pro-Palestinian protests as antisemitic.