Man Ignites Terror at Boulder Pro-Israel Vigil, FBI Investigates

BOULDER, Colorado — A violent incident unfolded in Boulder, Colorado, on Sunday when a man identified as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, allegedly attacked a pro-Israel memorial gathering, injuring six attendees. The FBI has labeled the assault a targeted act of terrorism and is actively investigating.

According to Mark Michalek, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Denver field office, Soliman, an Egyptian national illegally in the U.S. after overstaying his visa, used a makeshift flamethrower to set fire to participants of a vigil organized by the group Run For Their Lives, which advocates for the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza. The victims, aged 67 to 88, suffered burns ranging from minor to severe and were hospitalized for treatment.

Witnesses reported chaotic scenes as Soliman, shirtless and wielding spray bottles, shouted phrases like “End Zionists!” and “Palestine is Free!” while flames erupted on the ground near the vigil. A video circulating on X captured the suspect yelling at bystanders and those assisting the injured, with one clip showing him arguing and saying, “I can, I can.”

Brooke Coffman, a 19-year-old eyewitness, described the harrowing moment when four women sustained leg burns, one severely injured and wrapped in a flag. “Everybody is yelling, ‘get water, get water,’” she told , recounting the panic as attendees scrambled to help.

Authorities detained Soliman shortly after the attack near 13th and Pearl Streets, where police evacuated multiple blocks and deployed K-9 units to secure the area. While no formal charges have been announced, officials emphasized their intent to hold Soliman “fully accountable,” according to the Times of India. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed agents are on-site and promised further updates as the investigation progresses