On Sunday, several individuals sustained injuries, with some potentially suffering burns, in what the FBI has categorized as a “targeted terror attack.” The incident occurred at an outdoor mall in Boulder, Colorado, where a group had convened to raise awareness for Israeli hostages held in Gaza.
Authorities took one man into custody, though his identity was not immediately released. Eyewitness video captured a witness exclaiming, “He’s right there. He’s throwing Molotov cocktails,” as a police officer, gun drawn, approached a bare-chested suspect holding containers.
The attack unfolded at a popular pedestrian mall in Boulder. Demonstrators from a volunteer organization called Run For Their Lives had gathered to highlight the plight of hostages in Gaza. This event took place amidst escalating global tensions surrounding the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, which has fueled a surge in antisemitic violence within the United States.
This incident follows a fatal shooting more than a week prior, where two Israeli embassy staff members in Washington were killed. The perpetrator, from Chicago, reportedly shouted, “I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza” as he was apprehended by police.
FBI officials in Washington have classified the Boulder attack as an act of terrorism. The Justice Department, responsible for investigating violence motivated by religious, racial, or ethnic factors, condemned the act as a “needless act of violence, which follows recent attacks against Jewish Americans”.
“This act of terror is being investigated as an act of ideologically motivated violence based on the early information, the evidence, and witness accounts. We will speak clearly on these incidents when the facts warrant it,” FBI deputy director Dan Bongino said in a post on X.
The Israel-Gaza conflict began with a Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. The attack resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths, predominantly civilians, and the abduction of around 250 individuals.
Of those abducted, 58 hostages remain captive, with approximately one-third believed to be alive. The remaining hostages were released through ceasefire agreements and other negotiated settlements.
Israel’s military response in Gaza has reportedly resulted in over 54,000 fatalities, predominantly women and children, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. The ministry’s figures do not differentiate between civilian and combatant deaths.
The offensive has caused widespread destruction, displaced approximately 90% of the population, and created a near-total dependency on international aid.
Boulder police authorities refrained from immediately speculating on a motive.
Police Chief Steve Redfearn stated, “it would be irresponsible for me to speculate” while witness interviews were ongoing. He did note that the group supporting the hostages had gathered peacefully and that the victims’ injuries, ranging from serious to minor, were consistent with being set on fire.
This violence occurs four years after a shooting at a Boulder grocery store, approximately 25 miles northwest of Denver, which resulted in four deaths.
The gunman in the grocery store shooting received a life sentence for murder after his insanity plea was rejected by a jury.
Police evacuated several blocks of the pedestrian mall following the attack.
The scene was tense immediately after the attack. Law enforcement officials and a police dog searched the area for potential threats and directed the public to avoid the pedestrian mall.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis issued a statement stating he was “closely monitoring” the situation, adding that “hate-filled acts of any kind are unacceptable”.
