This is a developing story. It was last updated at 5:30 p.m. on June 1. Read our more recent coverage from June: FBI: Pearl Street attack that injured eight was act of terrorism; suspect yelled ‘Free Palestine’ during assault. For June 2 updates, follow our live updates.
Multiple people were injured — at least one critically — after an attack during a peaceful walk for Israeli hostages held in Gaza on Boulder’s Pearl Street Mall Sunday afternoon. Boulder police said a suspect is in custody, and an investigation involving local and federal authorities is underway.
Police would not release an exact number of those injured, saying only that “multiple” victims were transported to Boulder Community Health, with some transferred to other hospitals. Injuries were consistent with burns.
“What I’m being told is there are a range of injuries, from very serious to more minor,” Police Chief Steve Redfearn said during a press briefing around 4 p.m. on Sunday. “My heart goes out to those victims, and we’re keeping them in our thoughts, prayers and minds as they recover.”
Police responded to the scene at 1:26 p.m. after receiving several 911 calls reporting that a man was setting people on fire outside the Boulder County Courthouse at 1325 Pearl Street. Officers arrived quickly, located multiple victims and detained a suspect without incident. That person, an adult male whose identity has not yet been released, was also taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
Redfearn said investigators are still determining exactly how the injuries occurred. “We’re not 100% certain how that happened,” he said. “There’s a lot of witnesses that we’re interviewing.” He noted that the initial 911 calls reported someone “setting people on fire,” and that the injuries observed at the scene were “fairly consistent” with that. Police are investigating whether an incendiary device — possibly a Molotov cocktail — was used in the attack.
Henry Bonn-Elchoness, 18, was inside Into the Wind, a toy store at 14th and Pearl, when the attack occurred.
“We walked by the crime scene right when it happened,” he said. “We saw smoke. … I didn’t see any fire, but I know that there was fire. They were clearing out people really fast and no one knew what happened for a while.”
He and his friends left and returned about 30 minutes later.
“We saw three older women being put in ambulances,” Bonn-Elchoness said. “It looked pretty bad. They were all awake and coherent, but it seemed worrisome. It was very scary. It was a shock.”
The area surrounding Pearl Street — from Broadway to 16th Street and Pine to Walnut — was cordoned off for hours as investigators processed the scene and evaluated a vehicle of interest. Redfearn urged residents to stay away from the area until it is deemed safe.
He confirmed that a peaceful Run for Their Lives walk was taking place at the time — part of a recurring event organized by community members to raise awareness for hostages held in Gaza — but said that it was too early to say whether the group was targeted.
“We are looking and actively interviewing victims and witnesses to determine if that group was targeted or others, and we just don’t have those answers yet,” Redfearn said.
Asked whether he would classify the incident as a terror attack, Redfearn responded: “I’ve been in contact with our local FBI multiple times. We are in contact with them here. We’re not calling it a terror attack at this point. Again, it’s way too early to speculate motive.”
“We’re only a couple hours into this thing,” he added. “It would be irresponsible for me to speculate on motive this early on.”
In response to a question at the press conference about whether police would increase security for Jewish people in Boulder, Redfearn said the city is prepared to do so depending on the outcome of the investigation. “We understand that there’s a lot of tensions right now and a lot of issues in the United States and everywhere,” he said. “Once we have a clear motive, we will react accordingly. And if that motive was a group was targeted, we will absolutely step up and ensure that additional security, additional presence. We want people to feel safe no matter, you know, what they’re here for.”
“This was a beautiful Sunday afternoon in downtown Boulder on Pearl Street,” Redfearn said. “And this act is unacceptable.”
In a statement, Attorney General Phil Weiser said, “From what we know, this attack appears to be a hate crime given the group that was targeted.”
FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau is treating the incident as a targeted attack.
“We are aware of and fully investigating a targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado,” Patel said on X. “Our agents and local law enforcement are on the scene already, and we will share updates as more information becomes available.”
Leaders from Boulder’s Jewish community released a joint statement expressing grief and solidarity.
“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,” wrote representatives from local congregations and the Boulder JCC.
“Our hearts go out to those who witnessed this horrible attack, and prayers for a speedy recovery to those who were injured. … When events like this enter our own community, we are shaken. Our hope is that we come together for one another.”
Police said they plan to provide another update later Sunday evening.
I’m so sorry this happened here in Boulder!! I hope law enforcement will be able to keep this from happening again! Prayers for the victims!
This is horrible, let’s hope this is not a precursor of our future.