Boulder police and the FBI are investigating a Molotov cocktail attack which left eight people injured near downtown Boulder’s Pearl Street on Sunday afternoon.

Authorities apprehended suspect Mohamed Sabry Soliman, a 45-year-old Egyptian citizen, who will remain in custody during the investigation, following his release from the hospital, according to FBI Special Agent Mark Michalek and the Boulder Police Department. Officials said Soliman resides in Colorado Springs. 

The incident occurred just before 1:30 p.m. near 13th and Pearl streets during the “peaceful humanitarian walk for hostages,” organized by a group called Run For Their Lives. The group gathered to raise attention to Israeli hostages held in Gaza.

The suspect was heard yelling “free Palestine” while tossing a makeshift flamethrower toward the group of people, Michalek said during a news conference Sunday evening.

“The FBI is investigating this as an act of terrorism,” Michalek said.

Eight victims, between the age of 52 to 88, have been identified as victims in the events, according to a news release from the city of Boulder.

Four men and four women were transported to Denver metro hospitals. Soliman was also taken to a hospital to be medically evaluated before he was booked at the Boulder County Jail on multiple charges, officials said. 

Witnesses previously reported a man dressed as a gardener threw Molotov cocktails into the crowd.

Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said the department received a report at 1:26 p.m. of an attack involving people being set on fire.

While treating those injured, first responders encountered a suspect, who was taken into custody without incident, according to the police chief.

“There’s a lot more we’re investigating right now before I’m able to release information on that person,” Redfearn said Sunday, adding it would be “irresponsible” for him to speculate the motive of the attack.

“This was a beautiful Sunday afternoon in downtown Boulder on Pearl Street, and this act is unacceptable,” Redfearn. “I ask that you join me in thinking about our victims, the families of those victims, and everyone involved in this tragedy.”

Miri Kornfeld, an organizer with Run For Their Lives, which holds weekly walks to raise awareness of Israeli hostages, told Denver Gazette news partner 9NEWS that the group was walking on Pearl Street on Sunday afternoon.

When they arrived at the historic courthouse in the area of 13th and Pearl streets, a man was waiting there with bottles, Kornfeld said. He threw the bottles, and five people were burned, including one woman who was severely burned and had to roll on the ground to put the fire out, she said. 

The victims were taken to local hospitals. UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora confirmed it received two patients that were airlifted from the attack.

Boulder police issued an alert shortly after 2 p.m., urging the public to avoid the area.

At 3:30 p.m., officers had evacuated a perimeter bordered by Broadway to the west, Pine Street to the north, 16th Street to the east, and Walnut Street to the south.

Gov. Jared Polis called the incident a “heinous act of terror” in a statement Sunday afternoon.

“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,” Polis said. “Hate-filled acts of any kind are unacceptable. While details emerge, the state works with local and federal law enforcement to support this investigation. More information will be provided as it becomes available.”

Polis has ordered extra security at Jewish places of worship, according to 9News. 

FBI Director Kash Patel said on social media platform X that federal agents are assisting in the investigation.

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

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino later said, based on early information, that the attack is being investigated as “an act of ideologically motivated violence.”

“We will speak clearly on these incidents when the facts warrant it,” he said.

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller said on social media that the suspect in Sunday’s attack had “illegally overstayed” a tourist visa.

“He was granted a tourist visa by the Biden Administration and then he illegally overstayed that visa,” Miller wrote in a post on X. “In response, the Biden Administration gave him a work permit.”

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser also issued a statement, calling the incident a likely hate crime.

“My thoughts are with those injured and impacted by today’s attack against a group that meets weekly on Boulder’s Pearl Street Mall to call for the release of the hostages in Gaza,” Weiser said. “From what we know, this attack appears to be a hate crime given the group that was targeted. I have been in touch with Boulder District Attorney Michael Dougherty and have offered support from the Attorney General’s Office.”

Weiser added: “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.”

In contrast, Redfearn said, “It’s way too early to speculate motive.” 

During Sunday evening’s news conference, 20th Judicial District Attorney Michael Dougherty promised to “hold the attacker fully responsible” and “secure justice for the victims.”

The DA said it is too early to determine exact charges, whether it be state or federal, against Soliman.

Jen Livovich told The Denver Gazette she was eating lunch nearby when she heard sirens and saw ambulances arriving at the scene. At least one person was seen being carried away on a stretcher, she said.

Boulder City Council member Tara Winer told The Denver Gazette she believes the incident was an antisemitic attack but was waiting on additional information from law enforcement.

“Some of the victims are my friends, and I’m waiting for news about their conditions,” Winer said. “I’m mortified. I am shell-shocked.”

A Holocaust survivor was among those burned in the  suspected terror attack in Boulder, according to a friend of the victim who spoke with 9NEWS. 

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller said on X that the suspect in Sunday’s attack had “illegally overstayed” a tourist visa.

“He was granted a tourist visa by the Biden administration and then he illegally overstayed that visa,” Miller wrote in a post on X. “In response, the Biden administration gave him a work permit.”

“Boulder has recovered before from acts of violence,” Redfearn, Boulder’s police chief, said on Sunday evening. “And we will again recover.”

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

Carol McKinley contributed to this report — additional reporting by 9NEWS.