Six people were injured during an attack at Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, Colo. on Sunday, June 1. Authorities said at a press conference the suspect, who is now in custody, used a makeshift flamethrower and threw an incendiary device in the attack.
Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn said when officers arrived to the scene of the incident, they found multiple victims with wounds consistent with burns and other injuries. They were between the ages of 67 and 88.
The suspect was identified by the FBI as 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman. He was also taken to the hospital, police said.
A group of pro-Israel demonstrators were in the area when the attack happened, Redfearn said. According to media reports and Attorney General Phil Weiss, the group meets weekly at the mall to call for the release of hostages held in Gaza. FBI Denver Special Agent-in-Charge Mark D. Michalek said Soliman was heard by witnesses yelling “Free Palestine” during the attack.
The FBI is now investigating what it said was a “targeted terror attack,” the agency’s director, Kash Patel, said on X. The agency said they do not have evidence at this time that Soliman was acting as part of a larger network, and they do not believe there’s an additional suspect.
“Our agents and local law enforcement are on the scene already, and we will share updates as more information becomes available,” Patel said. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a tweet that DHS is monitoring what she also called a “terrorist attack.”
“We are praying for the victims and their families,” Noem said. “This violence must stop.”
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said on X that he is also “closely monitoring the situation.”
“My thoughts go out to the people who have been injured and impacted by this heinous act of terror,” he said. “Hate-filled acts of any kind are unacceptable. While details emerge, the state works with local and federal law enforcement to support this investigation. More information will be provided as it becomes available.”
Redfearn noted Boulder is “not immune to tragedy” at a Sunday, June 1 evening press conference, and that the attack has a “ripple effect in many communities.”
“I know a lot of people are scared right now,” Redfearn said. “A lot of people are upset and questioning how this happened and why. All I know is Boulder has recovered before from acts of violence, and we will again recover.”
This story is developing and will be updated.
