Boulder – Colorado | Arab Canada News

The U.S. authorities continue their investigations into the attack that targeted the "Pearl Street" shopping center in Boulder, Colorado, on Sunday evening, which resulted in one dead and several injured, in an incident that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) described as a "terrorist attack."

Boulder police stated in a statement that they arrested the suspect at the scene, named Mohamed Suleiman, who was taken to the hospital due to minor injuries, confirming that initial investigations do not indicate the presence of any accomplices.

According to CBS News, the attack occurred during an event commemorating the Israeli hostages held in Gaza, where the attacker used Molotov cocktails against the participants, causing panic and several injuries.

Identification of the suspect and his legal background

In a notable development, Fox News reported from high-level security sources that the suspect is an Egyptian national residing in the United States illegally, who had previously obtained a temporary work permit from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, which expired on March 28, 2025, without being renewed.

This revelation sparked widespread political reactions, with calls to reconsider policies related to granting work and residency permits, and to tighten security monitoring mechanisms, especially with the upcoming U.S. presidential elections.

Calls to avoid exploiting the incident for incitement or stigma

Concurrently, civil and human rights organizations warned against attempts to politically exploit the incident or use it to incite against Arab and Muslim communities in the United States. Community leaders in Colorado emphasized that "the incident, despite its seriousness, should be addressed within its legal framework away from generalizations and collective stigma."

Islamic institutions in America condemned the attack clearly, describing the assault on civilians as an "unacceptable and condemned crime," reiterating their commitment to full cooperation with authorities and calling for respect for the law and not holding immigrant communities responsible for individual actions.

Investigations are ongoing and a press conference is anticipated

FBI Director Kash Patel stated that the bureau is closely monitoring "the terrorist attack in Boulder," and that federal agents and law enforcement officials are working on the ground in coordination with Colorado police. He noted that "details are still being scrutinized," and more information will be revealed in a press conference expected later this evening.

This attack marks the second major incident in weeks linked to Jewish targets, following a shooting that targeted staff at the Israeli embassy in Washington, raising concerns about community tensions and prompting further calls for security vigilance and adherence to the law without inciting hatred or internal division.