“Free Palestine,” he shouted – then set pro-Israeli demonstrators on fire with flamethrower

They were participating in the event “Run for Their Lives”, held in honor of Israeli hostages in Gaza.

According to eyewitnesses, the man — shirtless and armed with two bottles — threw a flammable object into the crowd and shouted “Free Palestine” as flames spread among the participants, who were between 67 and 88 years old.

Six people were hospitalized with burns and other injuries, two of them in serious condition.

The attack occurred at the Pearl Street pedestrian mall in downtown Boulder shortly after 1 p.m. Police received reports of a man setting people on fire, and photos from the scene show smoke and panic as bystanders tried to help the injured.

“It was horrible,” said Lisa Effress, who was having lunch nearby when she heard screams and saw flames. She described the scene as chaotic — with burned, partially undressed people and clothing on the ground being used to smother the flames.

Police arrested the suspect, Mohamed Sabry Soliman of Colorado Springs, based on witness accounts. The FBI is calling the attack a “targeted act of violence” and is investigating it as a potential act of terrorism. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser has also stated that the attack appears to be a hate crime.

As of Sunday evening, Soliman had not yet been formally charged, but Boulder County police and prosecutors are working to determine what charges will be filed.

The incident comes in the wake of a series of violent episodes targeting Jewish institutions in the United States. Recently, two staffers at the Israeli embassy in Washington were killed, and the Pennsylvania governor’s residence was set on fire.

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