Authorities have arrested a 45-year-old Egyptian man on charges of a hate crime, after a violent attack targeting a pro-Israel advocacy group during a peaceful gathering in Boulder, Colorado.
Egyptian man carries out hate crime with firebombs
The suspect, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, an illegal immigrant, is accused of launching an anti-Semitic attack that left multiple people injured.
The assault took place on Sunday afternoon during a weekly event organized by “Run for Their Lives,” a grassroots movement that regularly meets to call attention to hostages held by Hamas since October 2023.
The group had convened near Pearl Street when the suspect reportedly began his assault using firebombs.
“This was a humanitarian walk. This was not a protest,” said Rachel Amaru, a member of the Boulder chapter. “I’m distraught.”
The incident began just after 1 p.m., when Soliman allegedly threw Molotov cocktails toward the assembled participants.
Eyewitness video shows the suspect shirtless and yelling at the group, two incendiary devices visible in his hands. A patch of ground near him can be seen engulfed in flames.
While carrying out the assault, Soliman reportedly shouted phrases including “Free Palestine” and accused those gathered of killing children.
“They are killers! How many children you killed?” the shirtless suspect screamed.
Footage later captured a police officer approaching and placing the suspect in handcuffs. Moments later, a second officer arrived to assist.
As officers subdued Soliman, he was heard yelling, “End Zionists,” as police restrained him on the ground.
Nearby civilians attempted to help the wounded, using containers filled with water from a public fountain to treat burn injuries.
According to a social media user who posted video from the scene, the suspect did more than throw Molotovs, he also wielded a gardening sprayer filled with gasoline, reportedly setting about six people on fire.
Mark Michalek, who leads the FBI’s Denver office, referred to the weapon as “a makeshift flamethrower.”
Eight individuals between the ages of 52 and 88 sustained injuries in the attack, and among them was a Holocaust survivor.
Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn described one of the victims as being in “very seriously injured” condition. Despite the severity of the assault, authorities confirmed that no fatalities have occurred.
Egyptian man planned attack for more than a year
Soliman was apprehended later that same day and remains in custody at the Boulder County Jail. His bail has been set at $10 million.
The suspect faces a wide range of criminal charges, including attempted first-degree murder, assault, crimes targeting elderly individuals, and the use of explosive devices while committing a felony.
Federal charges were also filed against Soliman, including one for a hate crime, according to an affidavit from the Department of Justice.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that the suspect would be prosecuted to the fullest extent permitted by law, labeling the act as an “antisemitic terror attack.”
Investigators say that the attack was not spontaneous. According to federal documents, Soliman had been planning this for over a year.
When officers searched the area near where he was arrested, they discovered 14 additional Molotov cocktails containing gasoline.
A canister of gas was also located in his parked vehicle, along with a pressurized sprayer at the scene, also filled with fuel.
Soliman admitted to law enforcement that he had watched YouTube videos to learn how to construct the firebombs.
He allegedly told officers that he “wanted to kill all Zionist people and wished they were all dead,” according to the affidavit.
The suspect, who reportedly lived in Colorado Springs with his wife and five children, is said to have waited until after his daughter’s graduation to carry out the attack.
Suspect is an illegal alien
According to immigration authorities, Soliman entered the United States in August 2022 on a B-2 tourist visa, which expired in February 2023. He applied for asylum in September of that year but remained in the country unlawfully after his visa lapsed. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed the illegal presence of the Egyptian man in the U.S.
The FBI has described the incident as a “targeted act of terrorism.” FBI Director Kash Patel addressed the situation on social media, stating, “We are aware of and fully investigating a targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado. Our agents and local law enforcement are on the scene already, and we will share updates as more information becomes available.”
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino also commented, describing the incident as “an act of ideologically motivated violence based on the early information, the evidence, and witness accounts.”
Colorado Governor Jared Polis acknowledged the seriousness of the event and confirmed that he is “monitoring the situation.” Polis noted the context of the attack and its proximity to religious observances.
“I am closely monitoring the situation in Boulder, and my thoughts go out to the people who have been injured and impacted by this heinous act of terror,” Polis said in a statement.
“Hate-filled acts of any kind are unacceptable. While details emerge, the state works with local and federal law enforcement to support this investigation. More information will be provided as it becomes available.”
