Boulder Woman Dies from Firebombing Attack on Pearl Street Mall
Boulder Woman Dies from Firebombing Attack on Pearl Street Mall
On Sunday, May 30th, the Boulder community was shaken by a horrifying incident on Pearl Street Mall. An 82-year-old woman, Karen Diamond, was severely injured in a firebombing attack that targeted a Jewish community event. The incident has left the community in shock and mourning the loss of a beloved member.
The Attack
The suspect, who has been identified as 55-year-old Joseph Martinez, used incendiary devices to set people on fire during the event. Witnesses reported that he shouted "Free Palestine!" as he used a makeshift flamethrower to cause chaos and destruction. The attack was swiftly stopped by the quick actions of bystanders and law enforcement.
The Aftermath
The Boulder County District Attorney's office has announced additional charges against the suspect, including a federal hate crime charge. The community is reeling from the tragedy and the loss of Karen Diamond, who succumbed to her injuries and passed away. The incident has sparked conversations about hate crimes and the rise of anti-Semitic attacks in recent years.
Honoring Karen Diamond
Karen was a beloved member of the Boulder community and known for her kind heart and generous nature. She was an active member of the Jewish community and a regular attendee of the event that was targeted in the attack. Her passing has left a void in the hearts of her family, friends, and the community.
Moving Forward
The attack has left the Boulder community shaken, but it has also brought people together in solidarity and support. In the face of hate, the community has come together to honor Karen Diamond's memory and stand against anti-Semitism. This tragic incident serves as a reminder to continue the fight against hate and work towards creating a more inclusive and welcoming community for all.
Conclusion
The firebombing attack on Pearl Street Mall has left the Boulder community in mourning and ignited important conversations about hate crimes. As we mourn the loss of Karen Diamond, let us also come together to stand against hate and create a more inclusive and welcoming community for all. Our thoughts and prayers are with Karen's loved ones during this difficult time.
About the People Mentioned
Karen Diamond
Karen Sorin Diamond (1942–2025) was an American interior designer and artist known for her dedication to creating beauty and comfort in living spaces through her business, Diamond Designs. Born on December 28, 1942, in Detroit, Michigan, and raised in Hollywood, Florida, she graduated from South Broward High School in 1960 and earned a Bachelor of Design in interior design from the University of Florida in 1964. Early in her career, she worked for the prestigious H. Chambers Company in Baltimore, Maryland. After marrying Louis Diamond in 1967 and relocating to Lexington, Kentucky, she founded her own interior design business, balancing professional success with raising two sons[1]. In addition to her design career, Karen Diamond was active in her community and deeply committed to music education, as reflected in her support for the Colorado Music Festival & Center for Musical Arts in Boulder, Colorado, where she lived later in life. She passed away on June 25, 2025, remembered for her kindness and lasting impact on those around her[1]. There is also a Colorado-based Karen Diamond noted for her involvement in diverse work including sign language interpreting and entrepreneurship with a product called the P-Mate, as well as connections to art and family life in Colorado since 1976, but this appears to be a different individual[2]. Karen Diamond the artist has exhibited work at venues such as the Garrison Art Center, with her art featured in various exhibitions, though detailed biographical information about her artistic achievements beyond exhibition mentions is limited in the available sources[3][6]. Overall, Karen Sorin Diamond’s legacy is primarily tied to her interior design career, family life, community engagement, and support for music education, with her passing in 2025 marking the conclusion of a life noted for grace and kindness[1].
Joseph Martinez
There are several notable individuals named Joseph (or Josef) Martinez in the public record; the two most prominent are a distinguished U.S. Army soldier and a celebrated Venezuelan footballer. Below are concise, factual biographies for each. ## Joseph Pantillion (Joe P.) Martinez – U.S. Army Soldier Private Joseph Pantillion Martinez was a United States Army soldier during World War II and the first Hispanic-American, as well as the first Coloradan, to receive the Medal of Honor for combat heroism on American soil during that conflict[4]. Born in Colorado, Martinez enlisted in the Army and was assigned to Company K, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. In May 1943, he participated in the Battle of Attu in the Aleutian Islands, a strategically significant campaign to reclaim U.S. territory occupied by Japanese forces. On May 25, 1943, Martinez led two assaults against entrenched enemy positions despite heavy machine gun fire, personally eliminating several enemy gunners and enabling his unit to advance. He was mortally wounded during the second assault and died the following day[4]. Martinez was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary valor. His legacy is honored through memorials in Colorado, including statues in Ault, Greeley, and Denver, as well as a U.S. Army Reserve installation and a Disabled American Veterans chapter named in his honor[1]. He is buried with full military honors in Ault, Colorado[1]. ## Josef Alexander Martínez Mencia – Professional Footballer Josef Alexander Martínez Mencia (born 19 May 1993) is a Venezuelan professional footballer who currently plays as a striker for Major League Soccer’s San Jose Earthquakes and the Venezuela national team[2]. Martínez began his career with Caracas in Venezuela, moved to Europe with Young Boys and Torino, then achieved stardom in MLS with Atlanta United, where he became the club’s all-time leading scorer with 111 goals in all competitions[3]. He set multiple league records, including most career hat-tricks (currently seven, the most in MLS history)[7], fastest to 100 MLS goals (125 games), and most goals in a single MLS season (31 in 2018)[2][3]. Martínez was instrumental in Atlanta United’s 2018 MLS Cup victory, earning MVP honors and the Golden Boot that season[3]. After a highly successful six-year tenure in Atlanta, he joined Inter Miami in 2023 before moving to San Jose Earthquakes, where he continues to be a key attacking presence[2][5]. Internationally, Martínez has represented Venezuela at multiple Copa América tournaments[2]. He remains one of the most prolific scorers in MLS history and is actively pursuing further success with San Jose[5]. These two Joseph/Josef Martinezes are distinguished in their respective fields—one as a war hero memorialized for his bravery, the other as a record-setting footballer still active at the highest level of North American soccer.
About the Organizations Mentioned
Boulder County District Attorney's Office
The **Boulder County District Attorney’s Office** is the public prosecution authority for the 20th Judicial District of Colorado, responsible for enforcing state criminal laws and upholding constitutional rights within Boulder County. It prosecutes felony, misdemeanor, traffic, and juvenile offenses in both County and District Courts, handling over 2,500 felonies and 15,000 misdemeanors and traffic cases annually[1][2]. The office also focuses on community education and support regarding crime prevention, victim resources, elder abuse, immigrant protection, domestic violence, hate crimes, mental health, and substance abuse[1][6]. Established on January 1, 1900, the office has evolved into a leader in criminal justice reform, especially noted for its innovative restorative justice and diversion programs. The **Center for Prevention and Restorative Justice (CPRJ)** within the office offers alternative pathways to prosecution, emphasizing meaningful accountability, victim support, and community reintegration. These programs serve both adults and juveniles, diverting over 600 cases annually, including more than half of juvenile cases, reducing the harms associated with criminal convictions[3]. The office provides training on restorative justice to volunteers, community members, and system partners, showcasing its pioneering role nationwide[3]. Currently led by **District Attorney Michael Dougherty**, who was appointed in 2018 and subsequently elected by voters, the office employs over 100 staff including assistant district attorneys, victim advocates, investigators, and support personnel[1][2][5]. Dougherty brings extensive experience from roles in the Colorado Attorney General’s Office and as a law professor, emphasizing criminal justice reform and community engagement[5][8]. The Boulder County DA’s Office is recognized for its leadership in prosecuting sex assault and domestic violence cases, championing community protection initiatives, and fostering collaborative justice solutions that leverage technology and data-driven practices to enhance public safety and transparency[1][2][7]. Its commitment to education, outreach, and progressive prosecution strategies makes it