A man named Mohammed Sabry Soliman has been charged with a federal hate crime for allegedly using a makeshift flamethrower and incendiary device to attack a group in Boulder, Colorado. The group had gathered to bring attention to Israeli hostages in Gaza. The attack left eight people injured, some with burns. Soliman confessed to the attack and told police he planned it for a year, specifically targeting what he called the “Zionist group.” He yelled “Free Palestine” during the attack. The FBI affidavit released in support of the hate crime charge stated that Soliman would do it again.
The attack occurred on the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, as tensions related to the war between Israel and Hamas continued to rise globally. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed prayers for the victims of the attack. Authorities believe Soliman acted alone, and no other suspects are being sought. Soliman, who was living in the U.S. illegally, had entered the country in 2022 on a B2 visa that expired in 2023. He filed for asylum in 2022 and was granted work authorization that had also expired.
Soliman had made Molotov cocktails, which were found near the scene of the attack. He intended to “kill all Zionists” and had been planning the attack for a year. The group that was attacked was advocating for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza. The FBI declared the attack an act of terrorism, and the Justice Department condemned it as an act of violence.
The violence in Boulder comes after a shooting rampage that killed 10 people in a grocery store four years ago. The suspect in that case was sentenced to life in prison for murder. Authorities are investigating the recent attack as an act of ideologically motivated violence.
The scene in Boulder was chaotic, with witnesses describing the suspect throwing Molotov cocktails and setting himself on fire. Law enforcement found unlit Molotov cocktails near Soliman’s arrest location, as well as papers mentioning “Israel,” “Palestine,” and “USAID” in his car. Soliman had a background in accounting and inventory control, with prior employment in Egypt.
The FBI and the Justice Department are actively investigating the attack, and authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant. The incident has raised concerns about the rise of antisemitic violence and tensions related to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
