Firebomb Attack in Boulder: FBI Labels Incident a Terror Act
June 2, 2025
Boulder, Colorado – In a disturbing escalation of domestic unrest tied to global conflicts, eight individuals were injured on Sunday when a man hurled incendiary devices into a pro-Israel gathering in downtown Boulder, Colorado. Authorities are calling it a deliberate act of terrorism.
The attack occurred during a peaceful demonstration organized by Run for Their Lives, a group raising awareness for Israeli hostages still held in Gaza. The assailant, identified as 45-year-old Mohamed Soliman, reportedly shouted “Free Palestine” before launching what appeared to be Molotov cocktails into the crowd at Pearl Street Mall—a popular pedestrian zone near the University of Colorado.
According to Boulder police, the victims—four women and four men aged between 52 and 88—were hospitalized with injuries ranging from minor to critical burns. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as flames erupted and bystanders rushed to help the wounded.
“This was a targeted act of violence,” confirmed Mark Michalek, Special Agent in Charge at the FBI’s Denver Field Office. “We are investigating it as an act of terrorism.” FBI Director Kash Patel echoed the sentiment, labeling the incident a “premeditated terrorist attack.” Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser added that the assault appeared to be a hate crime due to the victims’ affiliation with the Jewish community.
Witness Brooke Coffman, a 19-year-old university student, said she saw four women with severe burns, one of whom had to be wrapped in a flag to protect her injuries. “It was terrifying,” she said. “He had a bottle of clear liquid and just started throwing it at people.”
Soliman was taken into custody shortly after the attack and remains hospitalized. The FBI is probing his background, while questions swirl around his immigration status. Former Trump aide Stephen Miller claimed on social media that Soliman had overstayed his visa and was allowed to work under a prior administration. These claims have not yet been independently verified.
The assault took place just weeks after a deadly shooting in Washington, D.C., that claimed the lives of two Israeli embassy employees, further stoking tensions between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian factions in the United States. The Boulder incident adds to growing fears that global conflicts are spilling into American streets.
In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack, asserting that the victims were targeted “simply because they were Jews.” He urged American authorities to prosecute Soliman “to the fullest extent of the law.” U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer also denounced the act, calling it antisemitic and “horrifying.”
Governor Jared Polis of Colorado issued a public statement expressing deep concern: “It’s unfathomable that the Jewish community is facing another terror attack here in Boulder. We must stand united against hate.”
Organizers of the weekly vigil said they have held peaceful walks since Hamas’s 2023 attack on Israel, but never encountered violence until now. The attack has raised alarms across the political spectrum, igniting renewed debate over hate speech, security, and immigration policy in the U.S.
The investigation remains ongoing as law enforcement agencies search for additional evidence and determine if Soliman acted alone or as part of a larger network. Authorities have reassured the public that there is no current threat beyond the individual already in custody.
This tragic event underscores the volatile intersection of international conflict and domestic safety, pushing Boulder into the national spotlight as a city now grappling with the consequences of global tensions.