- Colorado terror suspect identified as Egyptian migrant Mohamed Sabry Soliman, who attacked a pro-Israel rally in Colorado, firebombing the crowd and injuring six elderly people.
- He overstayed both his visa and work permit after entering the U.S. under the Biden administration.
- Authorities called the act terrorism and a hate crime, with officials pledging full accountability.
The FBI identified Mohamed Sabry Soliman as the man behind Sunday’s firebomb attack at a pro-Israel rally in Boulder, Colorado. Soliman is a 45-year-old Egyptian migrant. He entered the United States legally with a B1/B2 visa. Federal officials confirmed that he overstayed both his visa and his later-issued work permit. Critics of the Biden administration say this attack shows the dangers of weak immigration policies. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller said the Biden team gave Soliman a visa and then rewarded him with a work permit after he overstayed. Congressman Brandon Gill from Texas echoed that message. He blamed the Biden administration for allowing Soliman to stay in the U.S. even after repeated violations. Both believe the system failed and put American lives at risk.
Elderly Victims Injured by Firebombs During Peaceful Gathering
Soliman allegedly threw Molotov cocktails into a peaceful pro-Israel rally. The rally took place on Pearl Street Mall in downtown Boulder. It was organized by a group called Run For Their Lives. They gathered to remember the October 7 Hamas terror attack and demand the release of hostages held in Gaza. Six people, all between the ages of 67 and 88, suffered injuries. Some had serious burns. One person remains in critical condition. Two others needed to be airlifted to a specialized burn center in Aurora. Reports confirmed that at least one of the victims is a Holocaust survivor. The timing of the attack was significant. It happened on Shavuot, a sacred Jewish holiday, which made the incident even more painful for the local Jewish community.
Videos Show Suspect Yelling Anti-Israel Slogans and Throwing Fire
Videos of the attack quickly surfaced on social media. Soliman appeared shirtless, wearing only jeans and sunglasses. He carried bottles of alcohol in each hand. Smoke surrounded him as he shouted phrases like “End Zionists,” “Free Palestine,” and “How many children have you killed?” Witnesses say he threw the firebombs into the crowd without warning. Black smoke and flames rose through the street. Burned bottles lay scattered across the area. Emergency workers rushed to the scene. They placed the injured onto stretchers and moved them into ambulances. Another video showed a large burn mark on the ground near Boulder’s historic courthouse. The scene looked like something out of a war zone, not a peaceful protest.
State Officials Call the Attack Terror and Hate Crime
FBI officials say Soliman used a homemade flamethrower and tossed incendiary devices into the crowd. FBI Director Kash Patel labeled the act a terror attack. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser said it appeared to be a hate crime. Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn confirmed that all the victims had injuries from fire. He said some wounds were minor, while others were potentially life-threatening. He also explained that Soliman acted alone. The FBI has not found any link between him and a larger terror group. Boulder Police arrested Soliman without a fight. Officers found him at the scene with minor injuries. Chief Redfearn said it was too early to guess Soliman’s motive. However, officials agree that the target was clearly a Jewish group.
Authorities Promise Strong Charges and Full Accountability
Law enforcement promised to treat this case with the seriousness it deserves. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said agents will use every available resource. He urged anyone with information to contact the FBI. He also warned that anyone who helped Soliman would be caught. Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty said Soliman will face serious charges. He said his team will make sure the charges hold Soliman fully accountable. The investigation is still ongoing. Officials are working to gather witness statements, videos, and other evidence. They plan to press formal charges in the coming days. Dougherty emphasized the importance of a united response to hate-fueled violence.
State and National Leaders Condemn the Boulder Firebombing
Colorado Governor Jared Polis said he was monitoring the situation closely. He condemned the violence and said hate has no place in Colorado. Attorney General Weiser agreed. He said people have a right to protest and speak freely. But he warned that attacks like this are happening more often and becoming more extreme. He said the state must stop these acts before more people get hurt. He also offered support to the victims and their families. Weiser pointed out that the group attacked in Boulder meets every week in the same spot. They gather to call for the release of hostages in Gaza, a peaceful and humanitarian mission.
Rise in Antisemitic Violence Raises Alarm Across the U.S.
The Boulder attack comes amid a troubling rise in antisemitic violence across the country. Just a week earlier, police arrested a man for killing two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington, D.C. Their names were Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim. The couple had been planning to get engaged. The shooter shouted “Free Palestine” as he murdered them. The Jewish human rights group Simon Wiesenthal Center condemned both attacks. CEO Jim Berk said American Jews are now targets just for supporting Israel. He said the Boulder attack shows how hate speech online and in public spaces leads to real violence. Berk blamed months of anti-Israel messaging in schools, on social media, and in the news for fueling hate. He said it creates a climate where violence becomes acceptable and even expected.
