Six Injured in Targeted Firebomb Attack in Boulder, Colorado
Six individuals sustained burn injuries after a man threw a firebomb during a peaceful protest in Boulder, Colorado. The attacker was taken into custody at the scene. Authorities and federal officials have described this incident as a "targeted terror attack" amid rising tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Incident Details and Immediate Response
The attack occurred shortly before 1:30 p.m. local time during a gathering supporting the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza. Eyewitnesses reported seeing a shirtless man throwing what appeared to be a homemade Molotov cocktail at the group. The suspect was seen shouting slogans including "End Zionists!" and "Palestine is Free!" as flames ignited nearby grass.
First responders found multiple victims with burns and other injuries. The suspect was apprehended swiftly without resistance. Authorities are actively investigating the circumstances and motives behind the attack.
Official Reactions and Descriptions
FBI Director termed the event a "targeted terror attack," emphasizing the seriousness with which federal law enforcement views the situation. Similarly, government officials confirmed that the president had been briefed on the incident.
While local law enforcement described it as premature to definitively assign motive, prominent voices categorized the violence as an antisemitic assault. The Anti-Defamation League noted that this attack occurred during the "Boulder Run for Their Lives," a weekly march advocating for the safe return of hostages taken by Hamas in October 2023.
Community and International Responses
The Israeli ambassador to the United Nations condemned the attack as an extension of terrorism beyond conflict zones, stressing the severity of violence directed at Jewish communities in the U.S.
The Israeli-American Council and other Jewish organizations denounced the act as a hate crime targeting their community during a peaceful event. Public figures echoed calls for unity against terrorism and hateful violence.
Contextual Background
This attack comes amid heightened tensions following an earlier fatal shooting of Israeli embassy staff members outside a Jewish museum in Washington, D.C., where the suspect reportedly shouted similar slogans supporting Palestine.
The unfolding events highlight growing concerns over domestic security threats motivated by geopolitical conflicts, underscoring the need for vigilance and community solidarity.
Summary of Key Facts:
- Location: Boulder, Colorado
- Victims: Six people injured by burns and other trauma
- Suspect: Male, detained at the scene
- Slogans Shouted: "End Zionists!" and "Palestine is Free!"
- Event: Peaceful gathering supporting Israeli hostages
- Official Response: FBI labeled as a "targeted terror attack"
Investigations continue as authorities seek to fully understand and address the motivations and implications of this act of violence.
