What to know about flamethrower attack at Boulder rally for Israeli hostages

A rally in Boulder, Colorado, advocating for the release of Hamas-held hostages turned violent when a suspect injured eight attendees with an incendiary device. The FBI is probing the incident as a case of terrorism, identifying 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman as the attacker. Witnesses reported Soliman used a makeshift flamethrower and shouted "free Palestine" during the assault. He has been charged with a federal hate crime, which carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years. Four men and four women, aged 52 to 88, were hospitalized after the attack, prompting President Trump to condemn the violence and criticize previous immigration policies.

Soliman's immigration status indicates he overstayed his visa and filed for asylum in 2022. Local officials, including Colorado Governor Jared Polis, expressed outrage at the attack, particularly given the recent violence against the Jewish community. The Boulder Jewish Community Center expressed heartbreak over the incident, emphasizing the need for solidarity against hate crimes.