Suspected Terror Attack at Boulder Mall: What We Know

On Sunday afternoon, a man armed with a makeshift flamethrower and Molotov cocktails opened fire on a group of peaceful protesters at the Pearl Street pedestrian mall in Boulder, Colorado. Eight people—ranging in age from their early fifties to late eighties—sustained burn injuries. The FBI has labelled the attack a “terror attack,” though local authorities are investigating motive and caution against premature conclusions.

Timeline and Location

• 1:26 PM (Local Time): Boulder Police Department received reports of an armed individual setting people ablaze at Pearl Street Mall, a popular four-block pedestrian and shopping district in downtown Boulder.
• Shortly After: Emergency crews and law enforcement converged on the scene, evacuating bystanders and sealing off the area. Officers detained a single suspect at the scene.

Pearl Street Mall is known for its bustling crowds, street performers, and weekly volunteer marches. On this particular Sunday, the Run for Their Lives organisation—a group devoted to raising awareness for hostages held in Gaza—had gathered for its routine silent march.

Sequence of Events
Eyewitnesses report that the suspect approached the group of roughly 20 to 30 volunteers, who had paused near the Boulder courthouse to read aloud the names of those still held captive. According to participant Ed Victor, the man’s presence initially went unnoticed. “Although he was making noise, I was focused on the march. Suddenly I felt an intense heat in front of me,” Victor told CBS News.

In minutes, a “rope of fire” erupted ahead of the crowd, followed by two bright flares. Volunteer Lynn Segal, 72, described how “people were burning; I wanted to help, but I didn’t want to be associated with the perpetrator.” Others rushed to douse flames with bottled water or nearby fountains, while some wrapped injured participants in blankets or flags to smother the fire.

Victims and Injuries

• Number Injured: Eight adults (ages 52–88) were taken to Boulder Community Health with burn injuries ranging from minor to life-threatening. One victim remained in critical condition, and several were later transferred to larger trauma centres in Denver.
• Nature of Injuries: First- and second-degree burns primarily to the legs and torsos. One witness, University of Colorado student Brooke Coffman, recounted seeing four women on the ground: “One woman was badly burned over most of her body; someone wrapped her in a flag to hold in water or ointment until medics arrived.”
• Current Status: By Monday, hospital officials reported that all eight survivors were stable, though several required surgical debridement and ongoing treatment for pain management.

Law Enforcement Response

• Immediate Action: Boulder officers, some in tactical gear and armed with rifles, spread out across the mall, evacuating nearby businesses and cordoning off a “vehicle of interest.” They were joined by the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office and the Colorado State Patrol.
• FBI Involvement: The Denver Field Office of the FBI swiftly took over lead investigative duties, treating the incident as an act of terrorism. FBI Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek described the preliminary evidence as “indicative of ideologically motivated violence” and vowed to pursue all leads.
• Perimeter Security: Police K-9 units swept the area for explosives or additional devices; no secondary threats were detected. By evening, Pearl Street Mall remained closed to foot traffic as bomb technicians, forensic teams, and fire investigators combed the scene for material evidence.

Suspect in Custody

• Identification: The FBI identified the suspect as 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, a resident of Boulder County.
• Apprehension: Officers subdued Soliman at the scene without firing shots; he sustained minor injuries—likely from burns or scuffles—and was transported to hospital under guard.
• Current Status: Soliman remained under police custody in a hospital ward overnight. No formal charges have yet been filed, but authorities expect to hold him “fully accountable” on multiple counts, including attempted murder and counts under the federal terrorism statute. Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn emphasized there was no evidence of a second assailant.

Alleged Motive and Eyewitness Accounts

• Allegations of Ideological Rhetoric: Multiple witnesses and video footage suggest the attacker shouted “Free Palestine” immediately before or during the assault. FBI Director Kash Patel called it “a targeted terror attack,” while FBI deputy director Dan Bongino said evidence pointed toward “ideologically motivated violence.”
• Local Caution: Chief Redfearn, however, urged restraint. “It would be irresponsible to speculate on motive this early,” he said. Local investigators continue interviewing witnesses and reviewing surveillance footage to piece together a precise timeline of Soliman’s actions and whether any undercover planning preceded the attack.
• Attorney-General Statement: Colorado Attorney-General Phil Weiser labelled the incident “a hate crime” and condemned violence aimed at peaceful assemblies. “People may have differing views about world events—but violence is never an answer,” he said in a public statement.

Context and Broader Implications

• Previous Colorado Incidents: Just weeks earlier, a separate attack in Denver targeted two Israeli embassy employees outside a Jewish Community Center, leaving them dead. That shooting, alleged to be perpetrated by a Chicago-born suspect, had already heightened local concerns about ideologically driven violence.
• National Climate: Experts note the Boulder incident reflects a broader rise in politically or ideologically motivated attacks across the US, particularly those tied to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. While protests—both pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel—have taken place nationwide, violence remains relatively rare in Colorado, making this attack deeply unsettling for residents.
• Community Response: Boulder’s mayor, Aaron Brockett, called for unity and calm. “We mourn the victims and stand with peaceable protest,” he said Monday. City officials have offered counseling services at local community centres for anyone who witnessed or was affected by the attack.

Ongoing Investigation

• Evidence Collection: The FBI continues to collect ballistic and accelerant samples from the scene, examine Soliman’s digital devices for communications with extremist groups, and canvass local businesses for additional surveillance video. Fire investigators are analysing remnants of the homemade flamethrower and Molotov incendiaries to determine how they were constructed.
• Witness Interviews: Investigators have spoken to dozens of witnesses—including pedestrians, march participants, and nearby shopkeepers—to establish whether the suspect acted entirely alone or received assistance planning or acquiring materials.
• Potential Federal Charges: If the attack is confirmed to be an act of domestic terrorism, Soliman could face charges under Title 18 of the U.S. Code, Section 2331 (terrorism statute), which carries penalties up to life imprisonment if proven. State prosecutors may also pursue attempted murder, arson, and weapons charges.
• Community Safety Measures: In the wake of the attack, Boulder Police Department increased patrols at high-traffic pedestrian areas and places of worship. Local schools and universities have been advised to review campus security protocols and encourage students to report any suspicious behaviour immediately.

Key Takeaways

• Attack Details: The suspect used a makeshift flamethrower and Molotov cocktails to set people on fire during a peaceful pro-Gaza march on Pearl Street. Eight bystanders sustained burns; one victim remains in critical condition.
• FBI and Local Stance: The FBI has classified it a “terror attack” based on ideological indicators and method of violence, while local police continue gathering evidence and urge caution in conclusively defining motive.
• Suspect Arrested: 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman was apprehended at the scene and is under hospital guard; federal and state authorities are preparing to file charges.
• Community Impact: The attack occurred amidst heightened tensions over Middle East conflicts, prompting local leaders to emphasize peaceful protest and solidarity. Mental health and trauma-support services have been mobilized for witnesses and residents.

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As investigators work to uncover Soliman’s precise motive and any organizational ties, Boulder residents remain on edge. Yet community leaders have emphasised the importance of preserving civil discourse and safeguarding the right to peaceful assembly. Federal and local law enforcement agencies continue to pledge full transparency, committing to share updates as soon as clarity emerges around the suspect’s intentions and affiliations.