At least 6 injured in Pearl Street Mall attack; Law enforcement ID suspect

DENVER (KDVR) — Boulder police asked the public to avoid the area of Pearl Street and 13th Avenue as of Sunday at 2 p.m.

The Boulder Police Department reported that officers were “responding to a report of an attack at 13th and Pearl Streets with reports of several victims,” and later said that calls for the incident began at about 1:26 p.m. At about 3:09 p.m., the agency issued evacuation orders while police investigated the incident. The agency reiterated that individuals should avoid the area.

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Chief of Boulder Police Stephen Redfearn said that he was aware of national law enforcement calling the incident a “terror attack,” but said he would not speculate on motive during this early stage of the investigation.

The injuries sustained in the attack, Redfearn said, range from minor to severe. One witness told FOX31 that, “Every, every one of the victims I could tell that I saw had skin basically melted or hanging from their, from their legs.”

The Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management said it was supporting the county and prepared to provide resources as requested.

13th Street, which crosses the Pearl Street mall, is a car-accessible road that crosses the walkable portion of the shopping area. The roadway borders the Boulder County Historic Courthouse and a few other county offices.

FOX News is reporting that Department of Homeland Security sources said that the suspect, 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, entered the U.S. legally on a nonimmigrant visa in August 2022 that authorized his stay in America through February 2023.

However, FOX is reporting that DHS says Soliman overstayed his visa and never left the U.S., but potentially sought asylum in September 2022. FOX is also reporting that Soliman was granted a work authorization in March 2023 that allowed him to stay in the U.S. through March 28 of this year.

FOX also reported that DHS sources said Soliman was an Egyptian national.

Sunday’s attack occurred during a peaceful, weekly demonstration held by Run for Their Lives in Boulder. The group described itself as an apolitical organization that has the sole mission of “walking peacefully to raise awareness for the 58 hostages still held in captivity by Hamas in Gaza.”

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the five burn victims from today’s attack for a speedy recovery,” the group stated. “We thank law enforcement and the fire department for their quick response and to the doctors and nurses working to heal.”

The group reaffirmed its commitment to peacefully calling for the swift return of all the hostages.

Gov. Jared Polis released this statement following an attack on demonstrators in Boulder calling for the release of hostages in Gaza.

“My thoughts go out to the people who have been injured by this heinous and targeted act on the Jewish community. Boulder is strong. We have overcome tragedies together and will get through this together as a community. I’ve spoken with Boulder Mayor Brockett, and my administration is working closely with local and federal law enforcement on this afternoon’s attack. I thank the first responders who ran to help the injured and ensure victims received medical attention needed and to apprehend the suspect. As the Jewish community reels from the recent antisemitic murders in Washington, D.C., it is unfathomable that the community is facing another antisemitic attack here in Boulder, on the eve of the holiday of Shavuot. Several individuals were brutally attacked while peacefully drawing attention to the plight of hostages who have been held by Hamas terrorists in Gaza for 604 days. Hate is unacceptable in our Colorado for all, and I condemn this act of terror. The suspect should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Gov. Jared Polis

FBI Acting Agent in Charge Michalek said there are six victims from the attack, ages 67 to 88. All have been taken to local hospitals. Run for Their Lives said there were seven people injured in the attack. FOX31’s Jared Dean learned three people were being treated for burns at UCHealth Anschutz campus.

Michalek said that the suspect is 45-year-old Mohamed Soliman and said the incident is being investigated as an act of terror. The agency said that the suspect used a makeshift flamethrower, threw an incendiary device and yelled “Free Palestine” during the attack.

One man spoke to FOX31’s Jeremy Hubbard about the incident and said he was afraid of repercussions to his family.

“You see all these hate crimes that are going on around the country, things that are happening to Jews all around the country, and I’ve got two kids and despite my my initial instinct to run into this situation it’s once I was there, I realized how dangerous it was, which is one of the reasons why I didn’t go and and tackle this guy,” Brian told Hubbard. “But like I didn’t want to do anything that would affect my family.”

Several blocks of downtown Boulder remained closed as officials looked for any additional devices. The investigation is active and ongoing. Information can be shared at fbi.gov/boulderattack.

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