In brief
On Sunday, eight individuals were hospitalized in Boulder, Colorado, after Mohamed Sabry Soliman, an illegal immigrant from Egypt, launched an attack using a homemade flamethrower during a demonstration supporting Israeli hostages in Gaza.
Eight people were injured in a chaotic attack in Boulder, Colorado, on Sunday when Mohamed Sabry Soliman, a 45-year-old Egyptian citizen, used a "makeshift flamethrower" against a peaceful gathering advocating for Israeli hostages in Gaza. The attack has drawn national attention and sparked an investigation by the Department of Homeland Security, as it was revealed that Soliman illegally remained in the U.S. after his tourist visa expired in February 2023. Witnesses described the scene as "horrible," with flames spreading in front of the county courthouse. Eight individuals, aged between 52 to 88 years, suffered significant injuries, with some requiring airlifting to specialized burn units in Denver. No fatalities have been confirmed, but authorities have filed numerous charges against Soliman, including first-degree murder.The distressing incident occurred during a demonstration that has been a weekly ritual for the community since the Hamas-led attacks on Israel in October 2023. Gatherers wear red to symbolize their support and make their presence known. However, this Sunday, participants were met with terror as Soliman threw an incendiary device into the crowd while shouting, "Free Palestine." The attack adds to a rising tide of anti-Semitic incidents in the United States, prompting concern among Jewish communities. Colorado Governor Jared Polis condemned the assault as a terrorist act, expressing solidarity with victims and their families. In a broader context, prominent figures, including Colorado's attorney general, categorized the incident as a hate crime, urging for non-violence amidst differing views on international conflict.Local hospitals have been tight-lipped about specific victim information due to privacy concerns, though Boulder Community Health has indicated that the injured have either been transferred or released. In light of the attack, future demonstrations by the group have been indefinitely suspended, leaving the community grappling with the ramifications of the violence that marred their peaceful assembly.
