Several people were injured Sunday in what authorities are calling a targeted attack at Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, Colorado. The incident occurred during a pro-Israel walk organized to show support for hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.
According to Breitbart, the Boulder Police Department responded to reports of an attack at 13th and Pearl Streets, asking the public to avoid the area while they investigated the situation.
Witnesses at the scene described a horrifying scene where the suspect allegedly used Molotov cocktails to attack participants in the peaceful walk. The event had been organized by a group called Run For Their Lives, which emphasized that the gathering was "not a protest" but rather a "peaceful walk to show solidarity with the hostages and their families."
FBI labels incident as terrorism
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the serious nature of the incident, describing it as a "targeted terror attack" in Boulder. The federal agency quickly joined local law enforcement in responding to the scene.
"We are aware of and fully investigating a targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado," Patel wrote in a post on social media platform X. He added that FBI agents and local law enforcement were already on scene investigating the incident.
The Boulder Police Department initially shared limited information about the attack, promising to provide updates as the investigation progressed. Their initial social media announcement simply asked people to stay away from the area while emergency responders worked.
Victims suffered serious burns
Eyewitness accounts paint a disturbing picture of the aftermath of the attack, with multiple victims suffering burn injuries from what appears to have been incendiary devices.
One witness who was present on Pearl Street during the attack described seeing "a fire and then a cloud of smoke." Upon approaching the scene, the witness reported seeing a woman "burning on the ground" and two additional victims suffering from burns to their legs.
The witness indicated that the attack occurred during "some kind of religious protest," though organizers of the event had specifically characterized it as a non-protest solidarity walk. The group had planned to walk the length of Pearl Street Mall and back, with a scheduled stop at the courthouse to view a video.
Event focused on hostage awareness
The targeted event was organized as a show of support for Israeli hostages still being held in Gaza, highlighting the continued humanitarian concerns in the region.
Run For Their Lives, the group behind the walk had emphasized the peaceful nature of their event. Participants gathered at 1 p.m. at Pearl Street and 8th Street with plans to walk together and raise awareness about the hostage situation.
The attack represents an alarming escalation of violence related to Middle East tensions playing out on American soil. Coming amid ongoing conflicts in the region, the incident has raised serious concerns about the safety of public demonstrations related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Boulder community in shock
The Boulder community has been left reeling from this apparent act of targeted violence in what is typically considered a safe and peaceful college town.
The Pearl Street Mall, a popular pedestrian shopping area in downtown Boulder, is frequently the site of various community gatherings and events. Sunday's attack disrupted what should have been a normal weekend afternoon in the bustling district.
Local and federal authorities continue to investigate the incident, with the FBI taking a leading role in what they've classified as a terror attack. As the investigation unfolds, questions remain about the suspect's identity, motives, and whether they acted alone or as part of a larger organized effort.
