A pro-Israel demonstration in Boulder, Colorado, turned tragic when an act of terrorism left eight individuals hospitalized, leading to a federal hate crime charge against the suspect, 45-year-old Mohamed Soliman.
According to court documents, investigators learned that Soliman had taken considerable steps to plan the attack, including researching how to make Molotov cocktails on YouTube and purchasing the necessary ingredients to assemble them.
During police questioning, Soliman reportedly expressed extreme anti-Zionist sentiments, declaring that he wanted to ‘kill all Zionist people’ and wished for their deaths. He even stated, ‘SOLIMAN stated he would do it (conduct an attack) again.’
Soliman’s motivations were rooted in a belief that he needed to stop what he perceived as Zionist encroachment on ‘our land,’ which he identified as Palestine.
The brutal assault was reportedly a culmination of a year-long plan, as Soliman indicated he waited until after his daughter’s graduation to execute his intentions. He drove approximately 100 miles from his home in Colorado Springs to Boulder, acquiring gasoline along the way.
On Sunday, he used a makeshift flamethrower and threw incendiary devices into a crowd gathered for the Run for Their Lives walk—a demonstration focused on raising awareness for remaining hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. As he carried out the attack, he allegedly shouted slogans like ‘Free Palestine.’
Evidence gathered by the FBI included a video from the scene showing Soliman armed with what appeared to be Molotov cocktails. He was heard making statements questioning the deaths of children and calling for the end of Zionism.
Among the eight victims of his attack, those affected range in age from 52 to 88 years old. While six victims have since been released from care, two remain in critical condition but are anticipated to survive.
Upon investigation, police discovered at least 14 unlit Molotov cocktails comprising glass wine carafe bottles and Ball jars filled with a clear liquid, along with red rags protruding from them. Additionally, they found a backpack weed sprayer likely containing a flammable substance. The liquid identified in the explosives was 87 octane gasoline that also contained xylene.
Soliman was apprehended and is currently held on a $10,000,000 bond at the Boulder County Jail, where he faces various felony charges, including the use of an incendiary device, and a potential first-degree murder charge, though it remains unclear if it is classified as attempted murder. Thankfully, there have been no fatalities reported as a result of the attack.
A court appearance is scheduled for Monday afternoon.
In a notable response to the incident, Attorney General Pamela Bondi condemned the act of hatred, stating, ‘We will never tolerate this kind of hatred. We refuse to accept a world in which Jewish Americans are targeted for who they are and what they believe.’
Further complicating this case, it has been reported by the Department of Homeland Security that Soliman is in the United States illegally. He arrived on a B2 tourist visa in August 2022 and sought asylum the following month. This tourist visa expired in February 2023.
Although granted a work permit after the visa’s expiration, this permit lapsed on March 28, leading to his current status as an illegal resident.
In the wake of the attack, former President Donald Trump issued a statement via Truth Social, calling for maximum prosecution of those responsible: ‘This is yet another example of why we must keep our Borders SECURE, and deport Illegal, Anti-American Radicals from our Homeland.’ He extended condolences to the victims and the Boulder community in his message.
This ongoing story has garnered widespread attention and is developing, with updates expected as further information arises.
image source from：https://abcnews.go.com/US/boulder-attack-suspect-us-illegally-homeland-security/story?id=122409898
