A peaceful gathering in Boulder, Colorado, turned violent on Sunday when a man allegedly hurled a Molotov cocktail at demonstrators calling for the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza. Six people suffered burns and other injuries in what the FBI has labeled a “targeted terror attack.”
Attack During Peace Walk
The incident occurred during the “Boulder Run for Their Lives,” a weekly event organized by members of the Jewish community to raise awareness for hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel.
According to witnesses, a shirtless man was seen with clear bottles in his hands, pacing as flames consumed the grass nearby. He shouted phrases like “End Zionists!”, “Palestine is Free!” and “They are killers!” toward participants wearing red shirts who were attending to an injured individual.
WATCH THE VIRAL VIDEO:
FBI, White House Respond
FBI Director Kash Patel acknowledged the incident on X, stating, “We are aware of and fully investigating a targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado.”
The White House also confirmed that President Donald Trump has been briefed on the matter.
Boulder Police Urge Caution on Motive
Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn said officers received reports of a man with a weapon and people being set on fire around 1:30 p.m. “When we arrived, we encountered multiple victims that were injured, with injuries consistent with burns and other injuries,” Redfearn told reporters. He added that the suspect was taken into custody without incident, but emphasized it was “way too early to speculate motive” for the violence.
Community and International Outrage
The Anti-Defamation League confirmed the attack took place during the Jewish community’s awareness event. The Israeli-American Council called it a “violent, antisemitic attack”, stating, “This is an attack on all of us — and we will not stay silent.”
Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, condemned the incident. “Terrorism against Jews does not stop at the Gaza border, it is already burning the streets of America,” he said. “Make no mistake this is not a political protest, this is terrorism.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed the sentiment, labeling it a “targeted terror attack,” and added, “Terror has no place in our great country.”
Rising Tensions
The attack in Boulder follows another recent incident in Washington, D.C., where two Israeli embassy staffers were shot outside a Jewish museum. The suspect, who reportedly shouted “Free Palestine,” was also arrested.