Moment Colorado terror suspect taunts victims he set on fire at pro-Israel rally

Eight people have been injured after a man allegedly set people on fire at a peaceful protest for Israeli hostages in Colorado. Mohamed Sabry Soliman allegedly threw what police described as a "makeshift flamethrower" and "Molotov cocktails at a demonstration on Sunday, the first day of a Jewish holiday called Shavuot.

Authorities say the 45-year-old Egyptian national shouted "free Palestine" during the attack, which allegedly happened at 13:26 local time (20:26 BST) at the Pearl Street Mall in the downtown area. He has since been taken into police custody. Four women and four men, aged 52 to 88, were taken to Denver metro hospitals to be treated for burns and other injuries, and at least one is in a critical condition.

Disturbing footage showed a man holding up bottles of alcohol before the attack as people screamed. Witnesses rushed to help pour water on the wounds of the injured, and EMTs carried people into ambulances on stretchers while flames spread across the ground.

FBI Director Kash Patel called the incident a "terror attack" while Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser said it appeared to be a "hate crime given the group that was targeted". Boulder Police Chief, Steve Redfearn, said it was too early to define the incident.

Attorney General Phil Weiser said: "From what we know, this attack appears to be a hate crime given the group that was targeted.

"People may have differing views about world events and the Israeli-Hamas conflict, but violence is never the answer to settling differences. Hate has no place in Colorado. We all have the right to peaceably assemble and the freedom to speak our views.

"But these violent acts—which are becoming more frequent, brazen and closer to home—must stop and those who commit these horrific acts must be fully held to account."

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino wrote on X that "if you aided or abetted this attack, we will find you. You cannot hide."

The victims were taking part in a Run for Their Lives march for the hostages taken by Hamas on October 7, which police said was a "weekly, peaceful event".

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller said Soliman is an "illegal alien" who arrived in the US on a visa issued by the Biden administration. When he illegally overstayed that visa, he was given a second chance and issued a new work permit.

Police say they are "fairly confident" he acted alone.

Boulder police say they will step up security at Jewish events in the coming days. Boulder County Historic Courthouse, near the scene of the attack, will remain closed on Monday.