Multiple people injured in ‘targeted terror attack’ in Boulder, Colorado as suspect hurls Molotov cocktails at pro-Israel rally

By LAURA PARNABY FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

Published: 22:53 BST, 1 June 2025 | Updated: 23:44 BST, 1 June 2025

Multiple people have been set on fire as a screaming topless man launched Molotov cocktails at them during a peaceful pro-Israel rally in Boulder, Colorado. 

FBI Director Kash Patel called the incident a ‘targeted terror attack’ against demonstrators as they gathered to remember the October 7 victims who are still being held hostage in Gaza on Sunday afternoon.

The horror unfolded during the event, organized by Run For Their Lives, on Pearl Street Mall in downtown Boulder at around 1.26pm, police said. 

Shocking video and images from the scene showed several victims laying motionless on the ground beside Israel flags as witnesses rushed to pour water on their wounds. 

Horrifying video also showed the suspect, a middle-aged man, holding bottles of what appeared to be alcohol for the Molotov cocktails as he shouted at bystanders. 

EMTs rushed to treat people at the scene and move some to hospital in stretchers as flames spread on patches of ground nearby amid burned-out bottles.  

Another video showed what looked like a burn scar across the ground close to the town’s old courthouse. 

It’s unclear how many people were injured, the extent of the injuries, or the identity of the attacker. DailyMail.com has contacted Boulder Police for more information. 

Horrifying video also showed the suspect, a middle-aged man, holding bottles of what appeared to be alcohol for the Molotov cocktails as he shouted at bystanders

Several people have been injured in a ‘targeted terror attack’ involving Molotov cocktails in Boulder, Colorado 

Police and the FBI said the horror unfolded at Pearl Street Mall on Sunday afternoon

FBI Director Kash Patel tweeted about the incident just after 5.20pm

‘We are aware of and fully investigating a targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado,’ said FBI Director Kash Patel just after 5.20pm. 

‘Our agents and local law enforcement are on the scene already, and we will share updates as more information becomes available.’

Boulder Police said they were evacuating several blocks of the typically popular pedestrian mall area, saying that there were ‘several victims’ in the attack. 

The department’s chief, Steve Redfearn, told a press conference victims suffered ‘injuries consistent with burns, and other injuries’. 

Redfearn added that police were not yet releasing the identity of the suspect, but said he was detained and taken into custody ‘without incident’.  

Police asked residents to avoid the stretch of Pearl Street between Walnut and Pine as they continue to investigate.  

The event targeted was called Run For Their Lives. People involved met at 1pm at Pearl Street and 8th Street to walk the length of Pearl Street Mall. 

‘This is not a protest; it is a peaceful walk to show solidarity with the hostages and their families, and a plea for their release,’ Run For Their Lives said in a statement. 

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said in a statement that he was ‘closely monitoring’ the situation, adding that ‘hate-filled acts of any kind are unacceptable.’ 

More images showed cops arresting a shirtless man at the scene, Pearl Street Mall in Boulder

Several people have been injured in a ‘targeted terror attack’ involving Molotov cocktails in Boulder, Colorado

Police and the FBI said the horror unfolded at Pearl Street Mall on Sunday afternoon

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino called the incident ‘an act of terror and targeted violence’. 

‘All of the necessary assets will be dedicated to this investigation. If you have any investigative tips please contact the FBI. And if you aided or abetted this attack, we will find you. You cannot hide,’ he wrote on X. 

This is a breaking news story with updates to follow.  

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Multiple people injured in ‘targeted terror attack’ in Boulder, Colorado as suspect hurls Molotov cocktails at pro-Israel rally

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