Molotov attack at US mall labeled targeted hate crime by FBI

A tranquil Sunday afternoon in Boulder, Colorado, was shattered by flames and panic after a man launched a violent attack at the heart of the city’s iconic Pearl Street Mall, an incident the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has officially labeled a “targeted terror attack.”

According to authorities, the suspect—an unidentified adult male—hurled Molotov cocktails at a pro-Israel demonstration, setting multiple people on fire and leaving the downtown area engulfed in smoke and chaos.

The attack, which occurred near the well-known Pearl Street fountain, prompted a massive emergency response as terrified bystanders fled for cover.

Eyewitness videos, now circulating widely on social media, captured the sheer horror of the moment—victims engulfed in flames, frantic screams echoing through the plaza, and emergency crews rushing in with stretchers.

Several people suffered burn injuries and trauma, with Boulder Police confirming that multiple victims were hospitalized. The assailant was apprehended at the scene and transported to a nearby hospital with minor injuries.

FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the federal agency has taken over the investigation, declaring on social media: “This was a targeted terror attack. The FBI is fully engaged. We will share updates as more information becomes available.”

Senior FBI official Dan Bongio added a stern warning: “If you aided or abetted this attack, we will find you. You cannot hide.”

Authorities believe the attacker specifically targeted the pro-Israel rally, which had gathered peacefully to show solidarity with hostages in Gaza.

The incident is being treated as both an act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime, according to Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser.

READ ALSO: FBI, DEA seek 90-day extension to finalize Tinubu drug case records amid legal challenge

“This was a deliberate act of hate. It has no place in our state or our society,” Weiser said, vowing full prosecution of the perpetrator.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis issued a statement denouncing the incident as a “heinous act of terror” and pledged full state cooperation with federal authorities.

“Hate-filled acts of any kind are unacceptable. We stand with the victims and the communities affected,” the governor declared.

Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn, speaking at a press briefing, acknowledged reports of “people being set on fire” and confirmed the use of incendiary devices—believed to be Molotov cocktails—though he declined to confirm the exact weapons pending forensic analysis.

“Our officers responded within minutes and were able to detain the suspect before additional harm could occur,” Redfearn said.

Authorities have cordoned off a wide section of downtown Boulder, including the mall and nearby intersections. Police are also examining a “vehicle of interest” linked to the suspect and have urged the public to avoid the area while investigations continue.

The incident has reignited fears over the growing threat of domestic extremism amid rising global tensions.

“Violence is never the answer to our differences,” said AG Weiser. “We must stand united in rejecting hate and protecting the peace of our communities.”

Law enforcement agencies are now working around the clock to determine the attacker’s motive, background, and possible affiliations. Authorities have urged any witnesses or individuals with footage of the incident to come forward to aid the investigation.

This assault marks one of the most severe acts of domestic political violence in Colorado in recent years, casting a chilling shadow over public demonstrations and reigniting national discussions on political polarization and hate-fueled violence in the United States.

Federal officials have assured the public that all leads are being aggressively pursued, and further updates are expected in the coming days.