A serene Sunday gathering in Boulder, Colorado, turned catastrophic when a lone assailant unleashed a barrage of Molotov cocktails near the vibrant Pearl Street Mall, leaving several people with severe burns and injuries. The shocking assault targeted a peaceful rally advocating for Israeli hostages held in Gaza, plunging the bustling downtown into disarray as flames erupted and screams pierced the air.
Witnesses described a harrowing scene: incendiary bottles soared through the crowd, igniting patches of grass and engulfing victims in fire. Emergency services swiftly cordoned off the area, rushing multiple casualties—some critically injured—to nearby hospitals. The suspect, apprehended at the scene, is under guard while receiving treatment for minor wounds, with authorities withholding his identity as the investigation unfolds.
Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn called the attack “deeply disturbing” but stopped short of classifying it as terrorism, pending further inquiry into the motive. Contrarily, FBI Director Christopher Wray labeled it a “targeted act of terror,” sparking debate over whether the assailant specifically aimed at the pro-Israel event or acted indiscriminately. The incident has rattled Boulder’s tight-knit Jewish community and sparked widespread calls for solidarity.
As investigators comb through evidence, the Pearl Street Mall remains sealed, and officials urge residents to support the victims through this harrowing ordeal.
