Colorado Attack Suspect Charged With Federal Hate Crime

Published: Monday, June 2, 2025 at 7:06 pm

Colorado Mall Attack: Suspect Charged with Federal Hate Crime

A suspect, identified as 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, has been charged with a federal hate crime following a violent attack at the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, Colorado. Authorities allege Soliman used a makeshift flamethrower and Molotov cocktails, injuring at least eight people, ranging in age from 52 to 88. The FBI is treating the incident as an act of terrorism.

Soliman, an Egyptian national who entered the U.S. in 2022 on a non-immigrant visa that expired in February 2023, had filed for asylum. According to the federal complaint, Soliman admitted to planning the attack for a year, motivated by his hatred of a "Zionist group" and his desire to "stop them from taking over our land, which he explained to be Palestine." He reportedly waited until after his daughter's graduation to carry out the attack.

The attack occurred during a peaceful demonstration by "Run for Their Lives," an organization advocating for the release of hostages held by Hamas. Witnesses reported Soliman screaming "Free Palestine" during the incident. Authorities found a container with at least 14 Molotov cocktails and a backpack weed sprayer potentially containing a flammable substance near the scene.

The charges against Soliman include attempted murder and a federal hate crime. U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated that the Department of Justice will hold the perpetrator accountable to the fullest extent of the law. The attack comes amid heightened tensions, following the recent fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy staffers.

BNN's Perspective: This attack is a horrific act of violence, and the hate-motivated nature of the crime is deeply disturbing. While the suspect's alleged motivations are rooted in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it's crucial to remember that violence against civilians is never justified. The swift charging of the suspect with a federal hate crime is a necessary step in holding him accountable and sending a clear message that such acts will not be tolerated. It's also important to acknowledge the impact this has on the Jewish community and the broader community in Boulder.

Keywords: Colorado, Boulder, Pearl Street Mall, attack, hate crime, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, Molotov cocktails, flamethrower, terrorism, attempted murder, Egyptian national, asylum, Zionist, Palestine, Run for Their Lives, hostages, Hamas, violence, antisemitism, federal charges, FBI, Department of Justice.

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