Six people have been injured in an attack in Boulder, Colorado, in which a man allegedly threw an incendiary device at a crowd on Sunday. Here’s what we know so far:
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The man, whom the FBI has identified as 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, allegedly targeted a group of people who had gathered to show their support for Israeli hostages held in Gaza, authorities said. The man shouted “Free Palestine” in the Sunday afternoon attack, police allege.
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Those hurt were between the ages of 67 and 88, and their injuries were consistent with burns. Some of the injuries were minor but one person is in critical condition, FBI special agent Mark Michalek said.
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In a video apparently of the attack, a shirtless man holding clear bottles in his hands is seen pacing as the grass in front of him burns, AFP reports. Several people in red T-shirts are seen tending to a person lying on the ground as others can be heard screaming. Images also showed billowing black smoke.
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The FBI said it was treating the incident as “an act of terrorism” although the Boulder police chief, Stephen Redfearn, earlier refused to use the term, saying it was too early to speculate on the suspect’s motives. The FBI has said there is no evidence that the man was connected to a wider group.
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Police are investigating “a vehicle of interest” on the scene, and several blocks had been closed off, Redfearn said, adding that police and bomb squads have been “clearing the area for devices”.
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The people injured were taking part of a weekly event called Run for Their Lives, a walk to show support for the Israeli hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza, the Boulder Jewish Community Centre said in a statement.
