US: Six injured after man sets people on fire during Boulder rally for Israeli hostages

The attack took place during the Boulder Run for Their Lives event in the city.

Also Read: US man charged with murder in fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy staff in Washington

Speaking on the attack, the Anti-Defamation League said on X: "We are aware of reports of an attack at today's Boulder Run for Their Lives event - a weekly meeting of Jewish community members to run/walk in support of the hostages kidnapped on 10/7."

Police have taken one person into custody.

He has been identified by the US media as 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman.

Suspect Yelled 'Free Palestine'

The suspect was heard to have yelled “Free Palestine” during the attack, FBI Denver Special Agent-in-Charge Mark D. Michalek was quoted as saying by CNN during a news conference following the incident.

Suspect Applied For Asylum In The US

Law enforcement sources told CNN that the suspect had previously applied for asylum in the US.

Soliman was denied a visa to enter the country in 2005, the sources told CNN.

According to authorities, the injured victims were aged between 67 and 88. Two of them were seriously injured in the attack.

Reactions

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis condemned the attack and said in a statement: "My thoughts go out to the people who have been injured by this heinous and targeted act on the Jewish community. Boulder is strong."

"We have overcome tragedies together and will get through this together as a community," Polis said.

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller said the attacker arrived in the USA in a tourist visa and then overstayed in the country.

He wrote on X: "A terror attack was committed in Boulder, Colorado by an illegal alien. He was granted a tourist visa by the Biden Administration and then he illegally overstayed that visa. In response, the Biden Administration gave him a work permit."

FBI Investigating The Attack As' Act Of Terrorism'

The FBI said it is probing the incident as an 'act of terrorism'.

The FBI Denver wrote on X: "The FBI is investigating the attack on the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder with @BoulderPolice as an act of terrorism."

Reacting to the attack, FBI chief Kash Patel wrote on X: "We are aware of and fully investigating a targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado. Our agents and local law enforcement are on the scene already, and we will share updates as more information becomes available."

Israel Minister Says Attack Left Him 'Shocked'

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar wrote on X: "Shocked by the terrible antisemitic terror attack targeting Jews in Boulder, Colorado."

He said: "This is pure Antisemitism, fueled by the blood libels spread in the media."

The latest attack occurred just days after two Israeli Embassy staff members were killed in the US last month.

The victims were identified as Israeli diplomats Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim.

They were attacked outside the Jewish National Museum in the US capital, Washington, DC.

The attacker was identified as Elias Rodriguez.

The killings occurred against the backdrop of the war in Gaza, which began on 7 October 2023 following Hamas-led attacks on Israel which left roughly 1,200 people dead while another 250 were taken hostage.  More than 53,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to the health authorities.