Ramapo increases police patrols after antisemitic attack in Colorado

Ramapo town officials said police increased patrols for the Jewish holiday of Shavuot and will continue to do so "with heightened vigilance" after what the FBI described as a targeted terror attack on Sunday, June 1, in Boulder, Colorado.

A man with a makeshift flamethrower shouted "Free Palestine" and set eight people aflame, USA Today reported. The attack prompted chaos at a pedestrian mall where protesters were calling for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza.

The suspect, identified by authorities as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, was taken into custody at the scene and was scheduled to appear in court Monday, according to USA Today. He was charged with a federal hate crime.

Sunday's victims, ages 52 to 88, were taken to hospitals with injuries ranging from serious to minor. Boulder police, in a statement Monday on X, said no victims had died overnight.

"The safety and security of our community remains our top priority," Rockland officials said on the police department's Facebook page. Town Supervisor Michael Sprecht and Police Chief Daniel Hyman said in the post, in part: "We are in direct contact with our detective assigned to the FBI-Federal Bureau of Investigation Joint Terrorism Task Force and are actively coordinating with Rockland law enforcement, the Community Security Initiative, and our intelligence partners, including NYPD Intel and Rockland County Sheriff's Office."

Ramapo has a large Orthodox and Hasidic population.

Some Lower Hudson Valley legislators put out statements.

"Yesterday, we confront yet another heinous act of terror against Jews, this time in Boulder, CO," state Sen. Shelley Mayer said. "Innocent people had gathered — on the first day of Shavuot, a Jewish holiday commemorating the Torah — in a busy walking mall for a peaceful event calling for the release of Israeli hostages still being held in Gaza."

Mayer added: "This was another targeted act of terror and violence against the Jewish community, occurring just ten days after two innocent Jews were senselessly murder in D.C. Just for being Jewish and less than two months after the arson attack on [Pennsylvania] Governor Shapiro's residence at the state of Passover. I am angry and fearful that this could become the new normal in the United States — we cannot allow that to happen."

State Assembly member Amy Paulin said she was horrified and heartbroken by the attack in Colorado.

"Every act of antisemitism is an attack on our core values of freedom and safety," Paulin said. "We must stand united — Jews and non-Jews alike — in speaking out and affirming our commitment to a just and inclusive society for all."