Multiple injured in ‘targeted terror attack’ at Jewish event in Boulder, Colorado

Several people were injured in what officials are describing as a “targeted terror attack” at a popular shopping district in Boulder, Colorado, during a weekly event organized by Jewish community members.

Boulder Chief of Police Stephen Redfearn said dispatchers received multiple 911 calls around 2 p.m. on Sunday, reporting that a man armed with a weapon was attacking people and setting them on fire near the courthouse at 1325 Pearl Street.

Officers arrived to find several individuals with burn-related and other injuries. Victims were transported to the hospital, and the suspect—described as an adult male—was taken into custody without incident and also hospitalized with minor injuries.

Authorities have not released an official count of victims, though Chief Redfearn confirmed that patients were sent to Boulder Community Hospital and some were later transferred elsewhere. Injuries range from very serious to minor.

A vehicle of interest is under investigation, and a large section of downtown Boulder remains closed as police work to secure the scene, which was still considered “not safe” as of 4 p.m.

Redfearn said a group of pro-Israel demonstrators had been holding a peaceful event at the location, and authorities are working to determine whether they were targeted.

“We are not calling it a terror attack at this point — it’s far too early to speculate on motive,” Redfearn said, contrasting with statements from FBI Director Kash Patel and other officials who earlier described the incident as a “targeted terror attack.”

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) said it was aware of reports that the attack occurred during the “Boulder Run for Their Lives” event, described as a weekly gathering of Jewish community members to run or walk in support of hostages kidnapped on October 7.

A video taken by a witness showed injured individuals lying on the ground in a park in front of the courthouse, receiving assistance from bystanders. Small fires could be seen burning in the background. The uploader claimed protesters had been attacked.

Additional videos and photos showed a shirtless man being detained by police, while another person was transported on a stretcher.

The Pearl Street Mall is a well-known pedestrian shopping district in downtown Boulder, popular with both locals and tourists. Officials noted that “a lot of people” were present in the area at the time of the incident.