Mohamed Sabry Soliman
Firebombing Hate Crime Attack
CLASSIFICATION: Murder
LOCATION
Boulder, Colorado, United States
TIME PERIOD
June 1, 2025
VICTIMS
1 confirmed
On June 1, 2025, at approximately 1:26 p.m. MDT, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, an Egyptian national residing in Colorado, launched an attack using a makeshift flamethrower and Molotov cocktails against participants of a solidarity walk for hostages taken from Israel, held at Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, Colorado. The incident resulted in at least seven injuries, including Soliman himself, and led to the death of an 82-year-old woman three and a half weeks later due to her injuries. Soliman was charged with multiple offenses, including attempted first-degree murder and federal hate crimes, citing his belief that the victims were Zionists as a motive. The case is currently under investigation, with Soliman facing a total of 118 state criminal charges and a dozen federal hate crime charges.
Mohamed Sabry Soliman is believed to have targeted the solidarity walk participants due to his perception of them as Zionists, as indicated by his political expressions during the attack. There is speculation that his actions were motivated by broader geopolitical tensions, particularly in relation to the October 7 attacks in Israel. Additionally, some community members are concerned about the rise of hate crimes and the potential for increased violence against specific groups in the wake of such incidents.
The 2025 Boulder Fire Attack: A Detailed Chronicle
The Incident
On a seemingly ordinary day, June 1, 2025, the city of Boulder, Colorado, became the stage for a horrifying attack. Mohamed Sabry Soliman, an Egyptian residing in Colorado, allegedly launched a vicious assault on a solidarity walk using a makeshift flamethrower and Molotov cocktails. This walk was organized by Run for Their Lives, a group advocating for hostages taken from Israel during the October 7 attacks. The attack left seven people injured, including Soliman himself. Tragically, an 82-year-old woman succumbed to her injuries three and a half weeks later.
Soliman reportedly yelled politically charged phrases during the attack and later confessed to targeting the group, whom he believed to be Zionists. Charged with a dozen federal hate crimes and 118 state criminal offenses, Soliman’s actions were about to send shockwaves through the community.
The Setting
The attack unfolded at the bustling Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, Colorado, a hub of community activities. The solidarity walk, meant to be a peaceful event, commenced at Pearl Street and 8th Street, passing through the mall with a planned stop for a video presentation at the old Boulder County Courthouse. The organizers emphasized the nonviolent nature of their march, aimed at pleading for the release of hostages.
Execution of the Attack
In a bid to blend in, Soliman disguised himself as a gardener, donning an orange vest and carrying a backpack sprayer filled with gasoline. As he approached the unsuspecting participants, he launched his attack. Witnesses recounted the horror as a shirtless man hurled Molotov cocktails at the group near 13th Street and Pearl Street. Miri Kornfeld, an organizer, described the chaos that ensued as bottles were thrown, igniting flames that forced a woman to roll on the ground to extinguish herself.
Amidst the pandemonium, Soliman shouted, "End Zionist," "Free Palestine," and "How many children killed." The scene was a grim tableau of burn damage and emergency responders rushing the injured to safety, while police and bomb squads worked tirelessly to secure the area.
The Victims
The carnage left by Soliman’s attack affected a diverse group of individuals. State prosecutors identified fifteen victims, comprising eight women and seven men, aged between 25 and 88. While some victims suffered second and third-degree burns, others were fortunate to escape physical harm but were still considered victims due to the imminent risk they faced.
Six victims required hospitalization, with two needing airlifts to UCHealth’s burn unit. Among them was Barbara Steinmetz, a Holocaust survivor, and a University of Colorado professor. On June 25, 82-year-old Karen Diamond passed away from her injuries, adding a somber note to an already tragic event.
The Accused
Mohamed Sabry Soliman, the man behind the attack, was a 45-year-old Egyptian national born in el-Motamedia, Gharbia Governorate. Having lived in Kuwait for 17 years, Soliman was relatively unknown to Boulder police but had previous encounters with the El Paso County Sheriff's Office. At the time of the attack, he resided in Cimarron Hills, Colorado Springs, with his wife and five children.
Soliman entered the United States on a B-2 nonimmigrant visa in August 2022 and applied for asylum in September. Although his visa expired in February 2023, he remained in the country illegally after his work authorization lapsed in March 2025. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that his asylum application was still pending at the time of his arrest.
Investigations revealed that Soliman had meticulously planned the attack for over a year, delaying it until after his daughter’s high school graduation. His initial intent to purchase a gun was thwarted by his immigration status, leading him to research homemade Molotov cocktails instead.
The Investigation
The FBI quickly labeled the incident a "targeted terror attack." However, Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn cautioned against premature speculation about the motive. Soliman, however, left little room for doubt, expressing his hatred for Zionists and his willingness to commit the act again if given the chance. His lack of remorse was cited in the affidavit supporting the hate crime charges against him.
Soliman carried 18 Molotov cocktails but admitted to using only two due to fear and lack of prior experience in harming others. He confessed to planning self-immolation using the gasoline-filled backpack, underscoring his desperation to make a statement.
Legal Proceedings
On the day of the attack, Soliman was booked into Boulder County Jail on forty-two state felony charges, with bail set at ten million dollars. He faced additional federal hate crime charges the following day. During a court hearing on June 2, Soliman appeared via video from jail, his head bandaged, while a heavy security presence underscored the gravity of his actions.
By June 5, the charges against Soliman had ballooned to 118 state criminal charges, including 28 counts of attempted murder. Federal proceedings commenced on June 6, where Soliman, unable to afford legal representation, was assigned a public defender. On June 18, a judge ruled there was enough evidence to proceed with the hate crime trial.
The Aftermath
In the wake of the attack, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials arrested Soliman’s wife and children. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced an investigation to determine their knowledge of Soliman’s plans. Meanwhile, deportation proceedings for his family were underway, although a federal judge temporarily halted their deportation, emphasizing the need for due process.
The city of Boulder, along with the Department of Justice, condemned the attack as antisemitic. Local and national leaders, including Colorado Governor Jared Polis and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, decried the violence. President Donald Trump declared Soliman’s deportation alongside his arrest, using the incident to bolster his administration's immigration policies. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also weighed in, linking the attack to antisemitic conspiracy theories.
The Boulder Jewish Community Center held a vigil, attended by hundreds, to honor the victims. The attack served as a grim reminder of the persistent threat of hate-fueled violence and the urgent need for vigilance against antisemitism in all its forms.
Sources
- Wikipedia: 2025 Boulder Fire Attack
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Boulder Fire Attack
Mohamed Soliman uses a flamethrower and Molotov cocktails to attack participants of a solidarity walk, injuring several.
Victims Injured
At least seven people are injured in the attack, including an 82-year-old woman who later dies from her injuries.
Suspect Charged
Mohamed Soliman is charged with federal hate crimes and multiple state felony charges following the attack.
Additional Charges Filed
Soliman is formally charged with 118 state criminal charges, including 28 counts of attempted murder.
Federal Court Appearance
Soliman makes his first appearance in federal court, where he is assigned a public defender.
Hate Crime Case Ruling
A federal judge rules there is sufficient evidence to proceed with the hate crime case against Soliman.
Victim Dies
Karen Diamond, an 82-year-old victim of the fire attack, succumbs to her injuries.
Family Detained
ICE officials detain Soliman's wife and children as part of the investigation into the attack.
Community Vigil
A vigil is held by the Boulder Jewish Community Center to honor the victims of the attack.
On June 1, 2025, at approximately 1:26 p.m. MDT, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, an Egyptian national residing in Colorado, launched an attack using a makeshift flamethrower and Molotov cocktails against participants of a solidarity walk for hostages taken from Israel, held at Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, Colorado. The incident resulted in at least seven injuries, including Soliman himself, and led to the death of an 82-year-old woman three and a half weeks later due to her injuries. Soliman was charged with multiple offenses, including attempted first-degree murder and federal hate crimes, citing his belief that the victims were Zionists as a motive. The case is currently under investigation, with Soliman facing a total of 118 state criminal charges and a dozen federal hate crime charges.
Mohamed Sabry Soliman is believed to have targeted the solidarity walk participants due to his perception of them as Zionists, as indicated by his political expressions during the attack. There is speculation that his actions were motivated by broader geopolitical tensions, particularly in relation to the October 7 attacks in Israel. Additionally, some community members are concerned about the rise of hate crimes and the potential for increased violence against specific groups in the wake of such incidents.
The 2025 Boulder Fire Attack: A Detailed Chronicle
The Incident
On a seemingly ordinary day, June 1, 2025, the city of Boulder, Colorado, became the stage for a horrifying attack. Mohamed Sabry Soliman, an Egyptian residing in Colorado, allegedly launched a vicious assault on a solidarity walk using a makeshift flamethrower and Molotov cocktails. This walk was organized by Run for Their Lives, a group advocating for hostages taken from Israel during the October 7 attacks. The attack left seven people injured, including Soliman himself. Tragically, an 82-year-old woman succumbed to her injuries three and a half weeks later.
Soliman reportedly yelled politically charged phrases during the attack and later confessed to targeting the group, whom he believed to be Zionists. Charged with a dozen federal hate crimes and 118 state criminal offenses, Soliman’s actions were about to send shockwaves through the community.
The Setting
The attack unfolded at the bustling Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, Colorado, a hub of community activities. The solidarity walk, meant to be a peaceful event, commenced at Pearl Street and 8th Street, passing through the mall with a planned stop for a video presentation at the old Boulder County Courthouse. The organizers emphasized the nonviolent nature of their march, aimed at pleading for the release of hostages.
Execution of the Attack
In a bid to blend in, Soliman disguised himself as a gardener, donning an orange vest and carrying a backpack sprayer filled with gasoline. As he approached the unsuspecting participants, he launched his attack. Witnesses recounted the horror as a shirtless man hurled Molotov cocktails at the group near 13th Street and Pearl Street. Miri Kornfeld, an organizer, described the chaos that ensued as bottles were thrown, igniting flames that forced a woman to roll on the ground to extinguish herself.
Amidst the pandemonium, Soliman shouted, "End Zionist," "Free Palestine," and "How many children killed." The scene was a grim tableau of burn damage and emergency responders rushing the injured to safety, while police and bomb squads worked tirelessly to secure the area.
The Victims
The carnage left by Soliman’s attack affected a diverse group of individuals. State prosecutors identified fifteen victims, comprising eight women and seven men, aged between 25 and 88. While some victims suffered second and third-degree burns, others were fortunate to escape physical harm but were still considered victims due to the imminent risk they faced.
Six victims required hospitalization, with two needing airlifts to UCHealth’s burn unit. Among them was Barbara Steinmetz, a Holocaust survivor, and a University of Colorado professor. On June 25, 82-year-old Karen Diamond passed away from her injuries, adding a somber note to an already tragic event.
The Accused
Mohamed Sabry Soliman, the man behind the attack, was a 45-year-old Egyptian national born in el-Motamedia, Gharbia Governorate. Having lived in Kuwait for 17 years, Soliman was relatively unknown to Boulder police but had previous encounters with the El Paso County Sheriff's Office. At the time of the attack, he resided in Cimarron Hills, Colorado Springs, with his wife and five children.
Soliman entered the United States on a B-2 nonimmigrant visa in August 2022 and applied for asylum in September. Although his visa expired in February 2023, he remained in the country illegally after his work authorization lapsed in March 2025. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that his asylum application was still pending at the time of his arrest.
Investigations revealed that Soliman had meticulously planned the attack for over a year, delaying it until after his daughter’s high school graduation. His initial intent to purchase a gun was thwarted by his immigration status, leading him to research homemade Molotov cocktails instead.
The Investigation
The FBI quickly labeled the incident a "targeted terror attack." However, Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn cautioned against premature speculation about the motive. Soliman, however, left little room for doubt, expressing his hatred for Zionists and his willingness to commit the act again if given the chance. His lack of remorse was cited in the affidavit supporting the hate crime charges against him.
Soliman carried 18 Molotov cocktails but admitted to using only two due to fear and lack of prior experience in harming others. He confessed to planning self-immolation using the gasoline-filled backpack, underscoring his desperation to make a statement.
Legal Proceedings
On the day of the attack, Soliman was booked into Boulder County Jail on forty-two state felony charges, with bail set at ten million dollars. He faced additional federal hate crime charges the following day. During a court hearing on June 2, Soliman appeared via video from jail, his head bandaged, while a heavy security presence underscored the gravity of his actions.
By June 5, the charges against Soliman had ballooned to 118 state criminal charges, including 28 counts of attempted murder. Federal proceedings commenced on June 6, where Soliman, unable to afford legal representation, was assigned a public defender. On June 18, a judge ruled there was enough evidence to proceed with the hate crime trial.
The Aftermath
In the wake of the attack, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials arrested Soliman’s wife and children. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced an investigation to determine their knowledge of Soliman’s plans. Meanwhile, deportation proceedings for his family were underway, although a federal judge temporarily halted their deportation, emphasizing the need for due process.
The city of Boulder, along with the Department of Justice, condemned the attack as antisemitic. Local and national leaders, including Colorado Governor Jared Polis and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, decried the violence. President Donald Trump declared Soliman’s deportation alongside his arrest, using the incident to bolster his administration's immigration policies. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also weighed in, linking the attack to antisemitic conspiracy theories.
The Boulder Jewish Community Center held a vigil, attended by hundreds, to honor the victims. The attack served as a grim reminder of the persistent threat of hate-fueled violence and the urgent need for vigilance against antisemitism in all its forms.
Sources
- Wikipedia: 2025 Boulder Fire Attack
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Boulder Fire Attack
Mohamed Soliman uses a flamethrower and Molotov cocktails to attack participants of a solidarity walk, injuring several.
Victims Injured
At least seven people are injured in the attack, including an 82-year-old woman who later dies from her injuries.
Suspect Charged
Mohamed Soliman is charged with federal hate crimes and multiple state felony charges following the attack.
Additional Charges Filed
Soliman is formally charged with 118 state criminal charges, including 28 counts of attempted murder.
Federal Court Appearance
Soliman makes his first appearance in federal court, where he is assigned a public defender.
Hate Crime Case Ruling
A federal judge rules there is sufficient evidence to proceed with the hate crime case against Soliman.
Victim Dies
Karen Diamond, an 82-year-old victim of the fire attack, succumbs to her injuries.
Family Detained
ICE officials detain Soliman's wife and children as part of the investigation into the attack.
Community Vigil
A vigil is held by the Boulder Jewish Community Center to honor the victims of the attack.