FIRE BOMB 'TERROR'
‘Terrorist’ attacks crowd with flamethrower & fire bombs while screaming ‘free Palestine’ leaving 8 injured in Colorado
At least one of the victims is in critical condition
EIGHT people have been hospitalised after a man shouting "free Palestine" targeted a crowd with Molotov cocktails in a "terror attack" in Colorado.
The suspect, identified as 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, also used a makeshift flamethrower in the horror attack.
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The attack targeted pro-Israel protesters outside the Pearl Street Mall in in Boulder.
Around 30 peaceful demonstrators had gathered for a Run for Their Lives march, calling for the release of all of the hostages who remain in Gaza.
Four women and four men aged 52 to 88 were injured in the attack and taken to hospital, Boulder cops said.
The condition of those wounded range from minor to "very serious".
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At least one of the victims is in critical condition.
The 88-year-old victim injured in the attack is a Holocaust survivor, the Chabad director at University of Colorado Boulder told CBS.
The suspect was heard to have yelled "Free Palestine" during the attack, according to FBI's special agent Mark Michalek.
He was named as 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman.
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The alleged attacker has been described as an "illegal alien" by White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller.
The Egyptian national illegally overstayed his visa before being issued a new work permit in the US.
Soliman was also injured and was taken to the hospital to be treated, but authorities didn't elaborate on the nature of his injuries.
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No charges were immediately announced but officials said they expect to hold him fully accountable.
Police say they're "fairly confident" he acted alone.
Video from the scene showed a witness shouting, "He's right there. He's throwing Molotov cocktails," as a police officer with his gun drawn advanced on a bare-chested suspect with containers in each hand.
Images show one victim being taken away on a stretcher by medics as shocked onlookers watch on.
Officers responded as quickly as they could once being alerted of the carnage at around 1.26pm local time.
Mass evacuations were quickly ordered near to the crime scene on 13th and Pearl Street.
Video circulating on social media showed multiple fires burning on the grassy areas around the outdoor mall as huge plumes of smoke billow into the air.
Several people can also be seen lying motionless on the ground as bystanders pour water on their apparent burns.
Screams can be heard in the background of the short clips.
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Investigators are still hunting for a vehicle of interest which was seen near to the mall at the time of the attack.
FBI leaders in Washington said they were treating the Boulder attack as an act of terrorism.
FBI Director Kash Patel posted on social media: "Our agents and local law enforcement are on the scene already, and we will share updates as more information becomes available."
Mr Patel also described it as a terror attack.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis said that "hate-filled acts of any kind are unacceptable".
A joint statement from Boulder's Jewish community read: "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.
"We don't have all the details of what is unfolding, and we promise to keep our community informed.
"Our hearts go out to those who witnessed this horrible attack, and prayers for a speedy recovery to those who were injured."
Boulder is a popular university city northwest of Denver with around 105,000 residents.
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The city's cops say they plan on stepping up security at Jewish events in the next coming days.
Boulder County Historic Courthouse, close to the scene of the attack, is to remain closed on Monday.
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