Colorado Firebomb Attack on Protesters Planned for a Year

Molotov Attack at Boulder Rally A man is suspected of throwing a Molotov cocktail in late May at a pro-police rally in Boulder.

Mohammed Sabry Soliman, 45, was charged with federal hate crimes alongside state charges of attempted murder, assault and using an explosive device. Planned weekly to promote aware- ness of Israeli captives in Gaza, the demonstration was reportedly disrupted by the Egyptian man at the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder on Sunday.

Prosecutors say Soliman yelled “Free Palestine” before tossing two flammable devices at the crowd, which caused injuries to eight individuals. Twelve people, four men and four women, ranging from 52 to 88 years-old were admitted with injuries ranging from minor to serious burns for treatment. One of them was a Holocaust survivor.

Officials initially reported eight victims, but four additional individuals later reported with minor injuries. The attack took place as Jews worldwide began celebrating the Jewish holiday of Shavuot.

Investigators found at least 16 unignited Molotov cocktails and a backpack sprayer filled with octane gasoline near the scene. Soliman was in disguise as a gardener, in an orange vest, so he could deceive the group and come close to it without being recognized. He is said to have taught himself how to construct Molotov cocktails by watching videos online.

Suspicious Admits to Intention and Motivation
Soliman told the FBI he had planned the attack for a year and decided to do it once his daughter graduated from high school, according to an FBI affidavit. He reportedly confessed to investigators that he had intended to “kill all Zionists,” and would have “committed the same crime again” had he been given to opportunity. Soliman, 30, also told them he had looked up how to shoot a firearm, but because he was an undocumented immigrant, couldn’t purchase a gun, so decided to make a homemade bomb instead.

He said he had driven up from Colorado Springs to Boulder, arriving at the protest five minutes before it started. They say he stopped and bought gas on the way and left behind his iPhone in his home, with farewell messages for his wife and their five children. His wife later handed the phone over to officials.

Officials said there was no prior indication Soliman was a threat. In a brief court appearance on Monday via video from Boulder County Jail, Mr. Soliman appeared in an orange jumpsuit and answered only procedural queries. A formal filing of charges is set to take place on Thursday.

Background and Immigrations Information
Soliman arrived in Colorado Springs three years ago, after 17 years in Kuwait. He came to California in 2022 on a non-immigrant visa that expired in February 2023. He applied for asylum a month later. He started driving for Uber in 2023, officials said, had gone through all background and verification checks.

The case has generated political fallout, including calls for tougher immigration enforcement and for national security measures. Public figures have expressed concern about extremists setting foot in and staying in the country.

This is the latest act of violence in a string of thousands of attacks on Jewish communities across the US since the start of the Israel-Gaza conflict.EThe Israel-Gaza conflict began on October 7, 2023 when Hamas launched an attack in which approximately 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken captive. More than 54,470 in Gaza have since died, according to the health ministry run by the Islamist movement Hamas.