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Colorado Desk, Delhi Magazine:-A peaceful rally in support of Israeli hostages turned into a horrific scene of violence in Boulder, Colorado, when 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, an Egyptian national of Turkish residency, launched a firebomb attack that left 13 people injured, including himself.
The event, organized by the group Run for Their Lives, was a solidarity walk near Pearl Street Mall, attended largely by elderly citizens, including a Holocaust survivor and a University of Colorado professor. The crowd was reportedly peaceful when, at around 1:26 p.m. MDT, Soliman, disguised as a gardener, approached the group and suddenly hurled Molotov cocktails and used a makeshift flamethrower, while shouting phrases such as “Free Palestine” and “End Zionist.”
Attack Details
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and panic as flames erupted within the gathering. Emergency responders quickly arrived, and six victims were hospitalized, with two still under care as of June 2. Authorities confirmed the ages of the victims ranged from 52 to 88 years old.
Background of the Attacker
Soliman, originally from Egypt, entered the U.S. in August 2022 on a B-2 tourist visa and applied for asylum the following month. However, his visa expired in February 2023, and his work permit lapsed in March 2025.
Investigators revealed that Soliman had been planning the attack for over a year. He initially sought to acquire firearms but turned to incendiary weapons after failing to purchase guns due to immigration restrictions. He reportedly taught himself to build firebombs and flamethrowers using online tutorials.
Legal Action
Soliman has been charged with 42 state felony counts, including multiple counts of attempted first-degree murder, assault, and hate crimes. His bail has been set at $10 million, and if convicted on all counts, he could face up to 624 years in prison.
Family Detention
In a dramatic post-attack development, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained Soliman’s wife and five children for visa violations. The family, who had been living in the U.S. since 2022, is now facing deportation proceedings. Initial investigations suggest they were not aware of Soliman’s plans. His wife reportedly handed over his iPhone to police after the attack — the same phone used to leave farewell messages to his family before the act.
Political and Community Reactions
The city of Boulder has since held vigils for the victims, with community leaders condemning the attack as an act of domestic terrorism and a manifestation of rising antisemitic sentiment in the U.S. Jewish groups and politicians have expressed alarm over growing threats to public safety tied to foreign conflicts.
While some lawmakers are calling for tougher immigration policies, others argue for a deeper investigation into the radicalization process that led to the violence. The FBI has taken over parts of the investigation and is reviewing additional terrorism charges.
This attack comes just days after another tragic incident, where a Jewish couple, Yaron and Sarah, were killed by a Palestine supporter in what authorities are also investigating as a hate crime. That incident, while separate, has contributed to the rising concern over targeted antisemitic violence across the United States.
In a gesture of unity and resilience, the City of Boulder, in partnership with the Boulder Chamber, began lighting the iconic Boulder Star on Monday, June 2. The tribute will continue through Sunday, June 8, symbolizing strength, solidarity, and support for the victims and the broader community in the wake of the tragic attack.
