On Saturday afternoon in Boulder, Colorado, 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman was arrested and charged in connection with what the FBI has described as a targeted terror attack. The incident took place near the county courthouse on Pearl Street around 1:26 p.m., during a peaceful event organized by “Run for Their Lives,” a grassroots group advocating for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. Witnesses say Soliman shouted phrases like “Free Palestine,” “We have to end Zionists,” and “How many children you killed” while attacking participants.
According to Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn, Soliman set multiple individuals on fire using an unidentified weapon. The victims, ranging in age from 67 to 88, were hospitalized, with some reportedly suffering life-threatening injuries. Soliman was arrested at the scene without incident. The FBI has classified the assault as ideologically motivated violence and is working alongside local law enforcement and the National Counterterrorism Center to investigate the case further.
The area was evacuated, and police continue to examine a “vehicle of interest” linked to the suspect. Authorities have cautioned that the area is still considered unsafe while the investigation is ongoing. FBI Director Kash Patel and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard both confirmed that federal agencies are actively involved in managing the situation.
Colorado officials, including Attorney General Phil Weiser and Governor Jared Polis—both of whom are Jewish—condemned the attack in strong terms. Weiser labeled it a hate crime targeting peaceful demonstrators, emphasizing that political disagreements must never be resolved through violence. Polis described the assault as a “heinous act of terror” and affirmed the state’s commitment to holding those responsible fully accountable.