Latest news with #RunforTheirLivesWalk
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mother, 2 kids speak out after son in wheelchair aids in Boulder attack aftermath
BOULDER (KDVR) — A Jewish Lafayette family is telling their story of resilience after witnessing the terror attack in Boulder and helping in the aftermath. Rachel Cohen and her family live in Lafayette, but for over a year now, nearly every Sunday, they've gone to Pearl Street for the Run for Their Lives Walk. Rachel believes firmly in standing up for what she believes and teaches her five kids the same; that's why the walk was so important to them. Judge issues order stopping deportation of Boulder suspect's family She says she never required her kids to go, and only two came with her last Sunday. 'I'm a mom of five, so whoever's ready, we go, and it was my seven-year-old and my 14-year-old that day. My 14-year-old doesn't walk long distances well, so we took the wheelchair, loaded up and went.' She said. The walk was along its normal route when Rachel says she noticed the attacker due to his strange backpack, but she thought he must have been some sort of maintenance worker. Moments later she saw a wave of fire about 20 feet from her and her children. 'There was a crash and a smell of petrol and fire and I turned because I just knew something was wrong.' She said. 'The worst was an 88-year-old woman. It was the first time she'd walked with us. She was there on her birthday with her husband and the realization that my children could have been murdered, the realization that this happened here is incomprehensible in many ways.' She's had conversations with her son, Baruch, before about what to do in these situations, specifically after the Israeli Embassy shooting in D.C. She pushed him out of the way and left her daughter with him so she could go assist. 'He went off and went and looked for medical supplies and looked for what he could do not to help, not close to the danger, which is exactly what I would expect and afterwards I was told by people of how well he did calming people down.' She said. Baruch even spoke with first responders when they got on the scene. 'I gave them a quick rundown of the victims' conditions, how many, where they are, the suspect and then just while they're running because I wasn't going to stop them from where they needed to be,' Baruch said. 'I can't think of anyone who deserved this less': Holocaust survivor among Boulder attack victims Her husband drove the rest of the family over after the attack to aid and check in on the family, including her son Dov, who was shocked and is still trying to understand. 'I just saw how big it was and I just started crying because I thought, 'how can someone have such hatred for people that he tosses Molotovs at a crowd of people just supporting what they think?' I was so afraid knowing that someone could be so antisemitic,' she said. Despite the attack, Rachel says her and her family will be there again to walk on Sunday, to continue to stand with the Israeli hostages and show her children resilience. 'I'm not going to let some terrorize me out of doing the right thing, which is to support these people,' Rachel said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Terror Probe as People ‘Set on Fire' During Colorado Demonstration
A man wielding weapons including a makeshift flame thrower was arrested after a shocking attack that wounded eight people in downtown Boulder on Sunday afternoon. The FBI said it was investigating a 'targeted terror attack' in Colorado after Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, used a makeshift flamethrower and threw an incendiary device at a group of demonstrators calling for the release of hostages in Gaza. Boulder Police said eight people aged 52 to 88 were wounded in the incident. All victims were taken to hospitals in Boulder and the Denver metro area. At least one was in critical condition, while others suffered various injuries. The suspect was also hurt and taken to a hospital for examination. 'This attack happened at a regularly scheduled weekly peaceful event,' FBI Special Agent Mark Michalek said in a Sunday evening news conference. 'The suspect was heard to yell, 'Free Palestine' during the attack.' Boulder Police chief Stephen Redfearn said the attack occurred on Pearl Street–a pedestrian mall–where several callers reported an armed man around 1:26 p.m. 'The initial callers indicated that there was a man with a weapon and that people were being set on fire,' he said. 'This was a beautiful Sunday afternoon in downtown Boulder on Pearl Street and this act is unacceptable.' FBI Director Kash Patel said agents and local law enforcement were at the scene 'fully investigating a targeted terror attack.' Redfearn said the pro-Israel demonstration is held frequently on Pearl Street Mall. 'As a result of these preliminary facts, it is clear that this is a targeted as an act of terrorism,' Michalek said. Boulder's Jewish Community said in a statement that the demonstrators were participating in the Run for Their Lives Walk, a movement raising awareness and calling for the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas. 'Our hearts go out to those who witnessed this horrible attack, and prayers for a speedy recovery to those who were injured,' the Jewish group said. 'When events like this enter our own community, we are shaken. Our hope is that we come together for one another.' Colorado Governor Jared Polis said he was monitoring the situation. 'My thoughts go out to the people who have been injured and impacted by this heinous act of terror,' he wrote on X. 'Hate-filled acts of any kind are unacceptable.' State Secretary Marco Rubio offered up prayers for the victims, adding that 'terror has no place in our great country.' The Colorado attack followed the fatal shooting of a couple working for the Israeli embassy in Washington, D.C. last month. 'Sadly, attacks like this are becoming too common across the country,' Michalek said.
