In Boulder, Colorado, U.S. immigration officials detained the wife and five children of Mohamed Sabry Soliman, an Egyptian man accused of firebombing a pro-Israeli event. The family faces potential deportation, which could occur as early as Tuesday night, following a statement made by the White House on a social media platform. It is an uncommon instance for family members of an accused individual to be detained and threatened with deportation in such a manner.
Disguised as a gardener, Soliman allegedly intended to attack about 20 attendees at the event, armed with 18 Molotov cocktails. However, he only managed to throw two while shouting “Free Palestine,” according to police statements. Although he had resided illegally in the U.S., it was noted that Soliman did not fully execute his plan partly due to fear, having never engaged in violence before, as stated in a police affidavit.
The Molotov cocktails he deployed resulted in injuries to 12 participants at the weekly demonstration held on Pearl Street’s busy pedestrian area, officials said. Despite the harm caused, Soliman reportedly showed no regret for his actions. Authorities also indicated Soliman’s family was unaware of his intentions, according to court documents.
The FBI affirmed Soliman’s motives stemmed from a desire “to kill all Zionist people,” referencing the pro-Israel movement. Investigators discovered an iPhone concealed in a drawer at his residence, containing messages to his family. His wife provided this phone to police post-arrest, acknowledging its shared use among family members.
Originating from the agricultural village of el-Motamedia in Egypt’s Gharbia province, Soliman had a stint as a handball player in Cairo. He had moved to Colorado Springs three years ago after spending 17 years in Kuwait.
Soliman entered the U.S. in 2022 on a tourist visa, which expired in early 2023, according to an immigration official. After applying for asylum in September 2022 and receiving a temporary work permit, which has since lapsed, his current U.S. status remains unauthorized. The immigration status of his family remains unspecified, as the Department of Homeland Security declined additional commentary.
Every year, numerous individuals remain in the U.S. beyond their visa expiry, although the overstay rate for Egyptians is notably lower when compared to other nations.
According to the affidavit, Soliman prepared for the attack over a year, delayed only by the hope of seeing his daughter graduate. Highlighted in a local news article, she had excelled academically after overcoming initial challenges, aspiring to pursue medical school.
Currently, Soliman faces federal charges for hate crimes alongside state-level attempted murder allegations. Further charges may be forthcoming, and he is being held under a $10 million bond in a county detention center.
Attorney Kathryn Herold refrained from commenting following a state court session. The incident occurred amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, which heightened global tensions and sparked a rise in antisemitic acts across the U.S. The attack also coincided with the commencement of the Jewish holiday of Shavuot.
The victims, ranging in age from 52 to 88, were part of a volunteer group called Run For Their Lives. Three individuals remained hospitalized, with injuries varying from severe to mild. One of the victims is a Holocaust survivor, whose family wished to keep her name private.
Witnesses reported seeing Soliman ignite two devices before inadvertently setting himself aflame with the second attempt. Before the police apprehended him, he removed his shirt and what seemed to be a bulletproof vest, according to bystander accounts.
Soliman purportedly had a gasoline-filled backpack sprayer, but refrained from using it on others. He told officials he intended to die during the attack. Prior efforts to legally acquire a firearm in Colorado Springs were unsuccessful due to his non-citizen status.
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation confirmed Soliman’s application for a concealed firearm permit was rejected, without disclosing the exact reasoning. Nonetheless, CBI may have alerted immigration authorities about his status. Authorities maintain that Soliman acted independently, despite the lack of details regarding his own injuries, evidenced by a booking photo displaying a prominent ear bandage.