In a stark act of violence, a group of Jewish individuals was targeted in Boulder, Colorado, by a man wielding a homemade flamethrower during a Sunday rally.

According to the Christian Post, the FBI has classified the incident as a deliberate assault on Jewish demonstrators at a weekly event, marking the second antisemitic attack in the United States this month.

The incident occurred during “Run For Their Lives,” a regular gathering held to honor Israeli hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas in southern Israel. The event took place in Boulder, where a group of eight participants, ages 52 to 88, assembled in support of those still missing.

Flamethrower attack shocks peaceful demonstration

According to authorities, the attacker was identified as 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman. Soliman is an Egyptian national who initially entered the United States on a tourist visa but failed to leave after it expired, rendering him an undocumented immigrant.

Witnesses and officials reported that Soliman approached the group and shouted slogans including “free Palestine,” “end Zionists,” and “they are killers” before carrying out the attack. He then used the makeshift flamethrower to assault the crowd, setting at least one person fully ablaze.

All eight victims survived the attack, though multiple individuals suffered burns. Emergency responders quickly provided medical assistance, and local law enforcement detained Soliman at the scene.

Timeline of rising antisemitic violence in U.S.

Sunday’s incident comes closely on the heels of another violent episode targeting members of the American Jewish community. Less than two weeks ago, a couple affiliated with the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., was ambushed and fatally shot.

That earlier attack occurred shortly after the couple left an American Jewish Committee function. Eyewitnesses said the assailant in that case also invoked pro-Palestinian slogans, yelling “free, free Palestine” during the shooting.

The FBI has expressly labeled the Boulder incident a “targeted attack,” suggesting a purposeful selection of Jewish individuals as victims. Federal investigators are continuing to probe both episodes for possible connections or shared motivations.

Christian leaders voice support for Jewish community

In the aftermath of the attack, prominent voices from the Evangelical Christian community responded with strong statements of solidarity. Many leaders emphasized the need to stand against rising acts of antisemitism in the country.

Calls for unity and protection of religious minorities have intensified across denominations. Several religious figures declared that remaining silent in the face of such violence would be a moral failing.

These faith leaders also encouraged their congregations to acknowledge and address antisemitic trends, particularly those fueled by political slogans that can escalate tensions.

Immigration status of attacker sparks broader debate

Soliman’s status as an undocumented immigrant has further fueled ongoing discussions around immigration enforcement and national security. Critics have underscored concerns regarding expired visas and lapses in monitoring foreign nationals who remain in the country unlawfully.

Some officials have voiced criticisms of immigration policy failures that allowed Soliman to stay in the United States despite his visa expiring. No official statement has been released yet from immigration authorities regarding previous attempts, if any, to locate or remove Soliman before the attack.

Though law enforcement confirmed Soliman acted alone, they have not yet released specific details about how he obtained or assembled the flamethrower device used in the assault.

National reaction and community response

Local communities in Colorado have responded by increasing security measures at similar public events. Organizers of “Run For Their Lives” have stated the weekly gatherings will continue, although with heightened precautions.

Lawmakers and advocacy organizations have condemned the violence and pledged support for tougher protections for Jewish communities nationwide. Public memorials and vigils are reportedly in the works to honor the resilience of the Boulder victims.

As investigations unfold, both federal and local agencies are evaluating how this latest antisemitic act fits into broader patterns of hate-motivated incidents across the U.S.