BOULDER, Colo., June 1, 2025 (Gephardt Daily) -- Multiple law enforcement agencies are on the scene of what is being investigated as a possible "targeted terror attack" in downtown Boulder, Colorado.
Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn told reporters he believed it was too early to know if the incident -- near the county courthouse at 1325 Pearl St. -- was a targeted terror attack, despite being called that earlier in a social media post by FBI Director Kash Patel.
"The initial callers indicated that there was a man with a weapon and that people were being set on fire," Redfearn said.
"We were on scene very quickly. When we arrived, we encountered multiple victims that were injured with injuries consistent with burns and other injuries, while our officers and paramedics and fire department personnel got those victims quickly to the hospital."
A small group of pro Israel activists was protesting in the area at the time of the attack, but the group is frequently at that scene, he said.
Witnesses pointed out a suspect, and "our officers immediately encountered that suspect who was taken into custody without incident. That suspect, who I'm not able to ID at this time, was taken to the hospital with some minor injuries as well."
The name of the suspect is not being released yet, Redfearn said.
"The scene itself is contained, but we have a large area here in downtown. Boulder closed off right now. Businesses have been closed, and we have asked people to avoid the area. It is not this area is not safe yet."
"I appreciate everyone's patience as we work through this complex scene. What I will say, lastly, is this was beautiful Sunday afternoon in downtown Boulder on Pearl Street, and this act is unacceptable."
Redfearn added, "We've got dozens and dozens of people here, our state, local and federal partners working through this to figure out exactly what happened. I asked for a little bit of patience as we do that.
"But also I ask that you join me in thinking about our victims, the families of those victims and everyone involved in this tragedy, our hearts go out to them, and we are going to do everything we can to work as hard as we can throughout the evening to provide more information and get answers for everyone with that as I stated, it would be irresponsible for me to speculate right now on motive and other things."
Redfearn said he will offer an update again later on Sunday.
"We are looking and actively interviewing victims and witnesses to determine if that group was targeted or others, and we just don't have those answers yet, those are things we hope to be able to provide you later this evening."
