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A 45-year-old man attacked participants at a weekly rally in Boulder, Colorado, on Sunday using a makeshift flamethrower, injuring eight people in what federal authorities are investigating as a targeted terrorist attack.
The FBI identified the suspect as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, who was taken into custody after the assault on participants in a gathering supporting hostages held in Gaza. The attack occurred during the Jewish holiday of Shavuot at the "Run for Their Lives" event, a regular demonstration by the local Jewish community.
"Witnesses are reporting that the subject used a makeshift flamethrower and threw an incendiary into the crowd," FBI agent Mark Michalek told reporters. "The suspect was heard to yell: 'Free Palestine!'"
Eight victims—four men and four women between the ages of 52 and 88—were hospitalized following the afternoon attack. Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn said, "at least one victim was very seriously injured, probably safe to say critical condition." The suspect was also injured before his arrest.
Video footage from the scene showed a shirtless man holding bottles while grass burned in front of him. He could be heard screaming "End Zionists!" and "They are killers!" at people in red T-shirts who were helping an injured person on the ground.
The incident marks the second attack targeting Jewish Americans in recent weeks. Nearly two weeks ago, a gunman fatally shot two Israeli embassy staffers outside a Jewish museum in Washington while shouting "Free Palestine."
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