Colorado terror attack: Eight injured after man throws firebombs into crowd after yelling 'free Palestine'

The organised demonstration described itself as "a peaceful walk to show solidarity with the hostages and their families".

Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said that the man was apprehended following calls to the police dispatch of someone with a weapon who was "setting people on fire".

Four women and four men have been injured, with authorities stating one is in a critical condition.

The FBI special agent in charge of the Denver Field Office, Mark Michalek, said: "As a result of these preliminary facts, it is clear that this is a targeted act of violence and the FBI is investigating this as an act of terrorism."

The FBI later named the suspect as 45-year-old Mohamed Soliman, who has since been taken to hospital.

Brooke Coffman, a 19-year-old at Colorado University, witnessed the incident and described seeing four women lying or sitting on the ground with burns on their legs. One appeared to have been badly burned on most of her body.

Coffman said: "Everybody is yelling, 'get water, get water,'" to throw onto those attacked.

She added that she saw a man whom she assumed was the attacker standing shirtless and holding a glass bottle of clear liquid.

Prominent Jewish Democrat Chuck Schumer described the incident as Boulder as a "horrifying" antisemitic attack.

The Senate Minority Leader stated on X: "This is horrifying, and this cannot continue. We must stand up to antisemitism."

Shortly after the organised demonstration was targeted, FBI director Kash Patel declared the incident a "terror attack."

He added: "Our agents and local law enforcement are on the scene already, and we will share updates as more information becomes available."

However, Boulder Police Department said it did not believe anybody else in the incident was involved, noting: "We're fairly confident we have the lone suspect in custody."

Colorado Governor Jared Polis has been informed of the situation.

In a statement, Polis said: "I am closely monitoring the situation in Boulder, and my thoughts go out to the people who have been injured and impacted by this heinous act of terror.

"Hate-filled acts of any kind are unacceptable.

"While details emerge, the state works with local and federal law enforcement to support this investigation."

A statement attributed to Boulder's Jewish Community added: "We are saddened and heartbroken to learn that an incendiary device was thrown at walkers at the Run for Their Lives walk on Pearl Street as they were raising awareness for the hostages still held in Gaza.

"We don't have all the details of what is unfolding, and we promise to keep our community informed.

"Our hearts go out to those who witnessed this horrible attack, and prayers for a speedy recovery to those who were injured.

"We are in touch with law enforcement about our Boulder Jewish community, and safety is our highest priority.

"We are working closely with SCN, Boulder PD, and the FBI. We are grateful for the first responders who are caring for our injured.

"We will continue to work together to share information and provide support for our community.

"When events like this enter our own community, we are shaken. Our hope is that we come together for one another."

It comes just weeks after a Chicago-born man was arrested in the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy employees in Washington, DC.

The gunman opened fire on a group of people leaving an event hosted by the American Jewish Committee, an advocacy group that fights antisemitism and supports Israel.

The victims were identified as Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and his girlfriend Sarah Milgrim, 26.

It later emerged Lischinsky had been planning to propose to Milgrim the following week on a trip to Israel.