BOULDER, Colorado, June 3, 2025
Terror Attack – peaceful demonstration on Boulder’s bustling Pearl Street Mall turned into a scene of chaos and horror on Sunday afternoon when a man armed with a makeshift flamethrower and Molotov cocktails attacked a group advocating for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. Omer Shachar, co-leader of the “Run for Their Lives” group, described the harrowing moment when flames engulfed his fellow marchers, stating, “They’re literally on fire,” in an interview with ABC News. The attack, now classified as a federal hate crime and act of terrorism, left 12 people injured, with some suffering severe burns.
The incident occurred around 1:26 p.m. near the historic Boulder County Courthouse, where the group had gathered for their weekly march to raise awareness about hostages in Gaza. Witnesses reported that the suspect, identified as 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, an Egyptian national, shouted “Free Palestine” as he threw incendiary devices at the demonstrators. According to court documents, Soliman had planned the attack for over a year, targeting the group due to their pro-Israel stance, with intentions to “kill all Zionist people.” He allegedly used Molotov cocktails after being unable to purchase a firearm due to his immigration status.
Shachar recounted the panic that gripped the group as flames erupted. “I felt panic right away,” he said, describing how he and others rushed to extinguish the flames on their fellow marchers. One elderly woman, a Holocaust survivor, was among the victims, whose ages ranged from 52 to 88. Six of the injured were members of Boulder’s Congregation Bonai Shalom, with four hospitalized and later discharged, while two were airlifted to a Denver hospital. Bystanders, including witness Alex Osante, described Soliman catching himself on fire during the attack, shedding his shirt and a possible bulletproof vest before police apprehended him.
The Boulder Police Department, alongside the FBI, responded swiftly, taking Soliman into custody. He faces 16 state counts of attempted murder, charges for using incendiary devices, and a federal hate crime charge. Court records reveal Soliman’s unrepentant stance, stating he would “do it again.” The attack has been condemned as a “vile, antisemitic act of terror” by U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, with Colorado Governor Jared Polis praising the bravery of first responders and bystanders who helped extinguish the flames.
The assault has heightened fears within Boulder’s Jewish community, already shaken by a rise in antisemitic incidents amid global tensions over the Israel-Hamas conflict. Rabbi Marc Soloway of Congregation Bonai Shalom called for action to address escalating violence against Jewish communities. The attack follows a similar incident on May 22, where two Israeli embassy staffers were fatally shot in Washington, D.C., underscoring a troubling trend of targeted violence.
As investigations continue, the Boulder community grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy. District Attorney Michael Dougherty noted the city’s history of enduring fires, floods, and mass attacks, emphasizing resilience in the face of this latest horror. The “Run for Their Lives” group, undeterred, plans to continue their advocacy, though with heightened security concerns.
