Mohamed Sabry Soliman was arrested after 8 people were injured in the attack on Pearl Street Mall
Eight people were injured Sunday afternoon in Boulder after a 45-year-old man allegedly threw a Molotov cocktail at a group participating in a peaceful demonstration on the Pearl Street Mall.
What happened?
The attack occurred just before 1:30 p.m. near 13th and Pearl streets during a weekly event called the “peaceful humanitarian walk for hostages,” organized by the group Run For Their Lives, which raises awareness about Israeli hostages held in Gaza.
Witnesses say a man was waiting near the historic courthouse with bottles in hand. He allegedly shouted “free Palestine” and threw what officials described as a makeshift flamethrower or Molotov cocktail into the crowd.
Who are the victims?
Eight people between the ages of 52 and 88 were injured. The victims include four men and four women. One of the victims is a Holocaust survivor, according to a friend who spoke to 9NEWS.
Some victims suffered burns and were transported to Denver-area hospitals. UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora confirmed it received three patients who were airlifted from the scene.
The Boulder Police Department on Monday said none of the burn victims had died.
Who is the suspect in the Boulder attack?
Police apprehended 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, an Egyptian citizen. He was taken to a hospital for evaluation before being booked into the Boulder County Jail. Authorities said Soliman will remain in custody during the investigation.
Witnesses initially described the attacker as a man dressed as a gardener. Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said Soliman was arrested without incident.
Officials said Soliman is from Colorado Springs.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller on Sunday said on social media that Soliman had “illegally overstayed” a tourist visa.
“He was granted a tourist visa by the Biden Administration and then he illegally overstayed that visa,” Miller wrote in a post on X. “In response, the Biden Administration gave him a work permit.”
Soliman was living in the U.S. illegally after having entered the country in August 2022 on a B2 visa that expired in February 2023, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a post on X. McLaughlin said Soliman filed for asylum in September 2022 and was granted a work authorization in March 2023 that had expired. DHS did not immediately respond to requests for additional information.
Public records listed Soliman as living in a modest rented townhouse in Colorado Springs, where local media outlets reported federal law enforcement agents were on the scene Sunday.
He said in his interview with police that his goal was to “kill all Zionists,” the FBI said, and that he intentionally targeted the group and knew they they would be assembled on Sunday afternoon.
“He stated that he had been planning the attack for a year and was waiting until after his daughter graduated to conduct the attack,” the arrest affidavit says.