Police Respond to ‘Terror Attack’ on a Colorado Event Raising Awareness of Gaza Hostages

U.S.|Police Respond to Attack at a Colorado Event Raising Awareness of Israeli Hostages

The authorities responded on Sunday afternoon to an attack in Boulder, Colo., in which an incendiary device was thrown at a group of walkers who were raising awareness for Israeli hostages still being held in Gaza.

Injuries ranged from serious to minor, Boulder’s police chief, Steve Redfearn, said at a news conference, though the total number of people injured was not immediately clear.

Federal and local police offered contradictory indications about the underlying motive for the attack.

Chief Redfearn said it was too early to call it a terror attack while the director of the F.B.I., Kash Patel, on social media labeled it a “targeted terror attack.”

Chief Redfearn said that at about 1:26 p.m. the department received multiple calls of an emergency near the county courthouse. Initial reports indicated a man with a weapon and people being set on fire.

“Our initial call, as I mentioned, was a report that someone was setting people on fire,” Chief Redfearn said. “That is fairly consistent with the injuries that we found on scene, but we’re not 100 percent certain how that happened.”

A suspect was identified and pointed out to officers at the scene. The suspect, who had minor injuries, was taken into custody, the chief said.

“We are aware of and fully investigating a targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado,” the director of the F.B.I., Kash Patel, said on social media. “Our agents and local law enforcement are on the scene already, and we will share updates as more information becomes available.”

A joint statement from Boulder’s Jewish community said that an “incendiary device” was thrown at walkers at the Run for Their Lives event. Participants were raising awareness for Israeli hostages still being held in Gaza.

The Boulder Police Department said on social media that it was “responding to a report of an attack at 13th and Pearl streets with reports of several victims.”

Dan Bongino, the deputy director of the F.B.I., said that bureau personnel were on the scene.

“We are investigating this incident as an act of terror, and targeted violence,” he said on social media. “All of the necessary assets will be dedicated to this investigation.”

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.