Photo: Boulder Police Department
The family of Mohamed Soliman, the suspect in the Boulder firebombing, has been taken into federal custody. Soliman, a 45-year-old originally from Egypt, is accused of throwing Molotov cocktails during a pro-Israel demonstration in Boulder, Colorado, injuring 12 people. He faces federal hate crime charges and 16 counts of attempted first-degree murder.
Soliman allegedly planned the attack for a year and disguised himself as a gardener to get close to the crowd. He reportedly told investigators that he wanted to "kill all Zionist people" and targeted the "Run for Their Lives" group, which supports hostages in Gaza. During the attack, he used Molotov cocktails and a makeshift flamethrower, shouting "Free Palestine."
According to the Department of Homeland Security, Soliman entered the U.S. on a B2 visa in August 2022, which expired in February 2023. He applied for asylum but has been in the country illegally since his work permit expired in March. Soliman is married with five children and lived in Colorado Springs.
Eight people were hospitalized with burns, and two remain in the hospital. Soliman's bond is set at $10 million, and he is due back in court Thursday (June 5). The Department of Homeland Security has expressed concern that this attack may inspire further violence linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict.