A man has been identified as a suspect in a Molotov cocktail attack targeting Jewish protesters in Colorado. He is now facing federal hate crime charges, according to officials on Monday. This development comes as the administration of President Donald Trump has pledged to take action against “terrorists” residing in the United States on visas.
Mohammed Sabry Soliman is accused of launching firebombs and dousing a crowd with burning petrol during a gathering on Sunday, where attendees expressed support for Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
According to police reports, twelve individuals sustained injuries in the attack that occurred in Boulder, with two of them classified as serious. The hospital has since released the majority of the admitted individuals.
J. Bishop Grewell, the acting US Attorney for the District of Colorado, informed reporters that the 45-year-old suspect had been orchestrating the attack for a year.
Soliman launched Molotov cocktails at a gathering of men and women, including individuals in their late 80s, igniting flames as they peacefully marched on a Sunday to raise awareness about Israeli hostages in Gaza, he stated.
During the interview regarding the attack, he expressed a desire for them all to perish. He spoke no regrets, stating that he would choose to repeat the experience if given the chance.
Soliman informed investigators that he had attempted to purchase a firearm in the past but was unsuccessful due to his non-citizen status in the United States.
Upon arriving at the scene of the attack, police discovered 16 unused Molotov cocktails along with a backpack weed sprayer filled with petrol, which investigators believe was intended to function as a makeshift flamethrower.
Soliman is currently confronting federal hate crime charges, which may lead to a life sentence. Additionally, he faces state charges for attempted murder, potentially resulting in a prison term of several hundred years.
Officials from the US Homeland Security Department reported that Soliman was residing in the country without legal status, having exceeded the duration of his tourist visa. However, he submitted an application for asylum in September 2022.
Trump criticized his predecessor, Joe Biden, regarding the incident.
“The horrific attack that occurred yesterday in Boulder, Colorado, will not be tolerated in the United States of America,” Trump stated on his Truth Social network, labelling it a “tragedy.”
He attributed Soliman’s entry to the country to what he described as “Biden’s ridiculous open border policy.”
“This serves as yet another illustration of the necessity to maintain secure borders and to deport illegal individuals deemed anti-American from our homeland,” he stated.
Marco Rubio, serving as Secretary of State, pledged to pursue individuals responsible for causing chaos.
“All terrorists, their families, and terrorist sympathisers currently residing here on a visa should be aware that under the Trump administration, we will locate you, revoke your visa, and proceed with deportation,” he stated on social media.
Footage Captured by Onlookers
On Sunday afternoon, an attack took place amidst a routine demonstration advocating for hostages captured during the assault on Israel by Hamas gunmen on October 7, 2023.
A video has emerged that allegedly captures the attack, featuring a shirtless man who is seen pacing with bottles in his hands while flames engulf the grass in front of him.
A man can be heard shouting phrases such as “End Zionists!” and “They are killers!” directed at a group of individuals in red T-shirts who are attending to someone on the ground.
Additional images captured the scene of billowing black smoke.
In a separate video, a police officer is seen hurrying to apprehend a man lying on the grass. There is a gathering of people nearby.
Observe. Brian Horowitz informed CNN that he hurried to the location in an attempt to offer assistance.
“The assailant was shouting phrases such as: ‘You effing Zionists.’ Eliminate my community. “I kill you” at 20 different people,” he stated.
“He stated: ‘You’re a killer.’ “You’re a killer,” he said, locking eyes with me, asserting that I was a killer and threatening to kill us both.
The attack on Sunday took place amidst the observance of the Jewish holiday of Shavuot.
Nearly two weeks have passed since the tragic shooting that claimed the lives of two Israeli embassy staff members outside a Jewish museum in Washington. The incident led to the arrest of a 31-year-old suspect, who reportedly shouted “Free Palestine” during the event.
Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon expressed his indignation.
“Terrorism targeting Jews transcends the Gaza border—it is already igniting unrest on the streets of America,” he stated.
