Multiple individuals reportedly sustained injuries, suspected to be burns, during an incident in Colorado. The FBI is currently probing this incident as a potential act of terrorism.
Trouble in Boulder: A Targeted Attack at a Peaceful Protest
Boulder, Colorado, reeled from a shocking incident on June 1, 2025, as a peaceful demonstration for Israeli hostages in Gaza turned into a violent showdown. A 45-year-old man, later identified as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, wielded a makeshift flamethrower, yelling "Free Palestine," according to the FBI.
Soliman, an Egyptian national, was promptly apprehended at the scene. The authorities are currently weighing multiple felony charges against him, in addition to a federal hate crime charge due to the alleged antisemitic nature of the attack. A closer examination of the timeline reveals more about this unfolding drama.
A Day of Chaos
The day began with a group of demonstrators gathering peacefully for a regular meeting at the bustling Pearl Street Mall, the four-block area in downtown Boulder. However, their tranquil assembly was shattered when Soliman, armed with makeshift incendiary devices, launched a vicious attack on the crowd.
In the following mayhem, eight innocent individuals, aged 52 to 88, suffered injuries, with one critically wounded. Among the victims was an 88-year-old Holocaust refugee, describing her as a "very loving person" in a moving statement by Rabbi Israel Wilhelm.
Digging for Answers
The FBI quickly categorized the incident as a "targeted terror attack," raising suspicions of antisemitic motivations. The Department of Justice concurred, labeling the violent outburst as a hate crime, while Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser denounced the attack as a "needless act of violence."
The facts pointed toward a motive rooted in anti-Israel sentiments. Soliman's background checks revealed that he had entered the US on a non-immigrant visa in 2022, but his stay had expired in February 2023. Residing in Colorado Springs at the time of the attack, Soliman's presence in the US became the subject of ongoing investigations.
A Wake-Up Call
This incident underscores the growing concern about ideologically motivated violence connected to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the US. The spotlight is now focused sharply on Jewish communities and pro-Israel events, with American officials urging increased vigilance against such heinous targeted attacks.
The legal proceedings against Soliman are underway, with the charges reflecting the gravity of the incident and the broad implications of antisemitic violence in the nation's heartland. The landmark attack in Boulder serves as a stark reminder that the fight against hatred must remain a priority in today's divided world.
References:1. ABC News. (2025, June 2). Suspect in Colorado mall attack makes court appearance. Retrieved from https://abcnews.go.com/2. The Denver Post. (2025, June 2). Suspect in Boulder mall attack charged with federal hate crimes. Retrieved from https://www.denverpost.com/3. The New York Times. (2025, June 2). Eight Injured in Antisemitic Attack at Colorado Mall. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/4. The Washington Post. (2025, June 2). Boulder mall attack: Charges unveiled as authorities pursue hate crime inquiry. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/
- The interview with the rabbi, who spoke about the critically injured Holocaust refugee from the Boulder attack, was featured in a general news video on ABC News.
- Crime-and-justice reports have highlighted the ongoing investigations into Soliman's expired visa and residency in Colorado Springs, in relation to the Gaza-related protest attack in Boulder.
- In light of the Boulder mall attack, there have been multiple calls for increased awareness and attention to political issues, such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and their potential impact on health and general well-being within the affected communities.
