Boulder Attack Suspect Appears in Court on Hate Crime Charge

The Egyptian national accused of launching a Molotov cocktail attack in Boulder, Colorado, targeting people attending an event supporting hostages in Gaza, briefly appeared in a federal court Friday to face a hate crime charge.

Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, who allegedly told investigators he wanted “to kill all Zionist people”, entered the Denver courtroom in a green jail uniform with his wrists shackled.

He listened to the proceedings in Arabic through an interpreter and responded “yes” and “I understand” in Arabic as Magistrate Judge Timothy P. O’Hara explained his rights.

Soliman’s public defenders did not comment to the media. He is scheduled to return to federal court on June 18, when prosecutors must demonstrate they have sufficient evidence to proceed. A similar hearing is set in state court for July 15.

A conviction on a hate crime charge typically carries a penalty of no more than 10 years in prison, but Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Hindman said if the crime involves an attempted killing, the sentence can be as long as life in prison.

Soliman also faces 118 state counts, including attempted murder with extreme indifference, assault, use of an incendiary device, and animal cruelty, according to the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office.

Affidavit: Soliman Admits Deadly Intent

The charges stem from the June 1 attack that targeted a weekly demonstration held in Boulder’s Pearl Street pedestrian mall, where people were raising awareness about hostages still held by the Hamas terror group in Gaza. He allegedly threw Molotov cocktails at about 20 demonstrators while shouting “Free Palestine,” according to an FBI affidavit.

Soliman reportedly told police he “wanted to kill all Zionist people” and “wished they were all dead.” He also said he had no remorse, telling investigators he would commit the attack again, according to the affidavit.

Authorities stated that Soliman brought 18 Molotov cocktails to the scene but threw only two before fleeing. Police recovered a plastic container with 14 unused Molotov cocktails and a backpack sprayer believed to have been modified into a makeshift flamethrower.

Soliman told investigators he did not carry out his full plan “because he got scared and had never hurt anyone before,” according to the arrest affidavit.

Investigators allege he planned the attack for more than a year, waiting until after his daughter’s graduation to act.

The attack injured at least 15 people, ranging in age from 25 to 88, and a dog, according to Boulder County officials. Eight people suffered burn injuries, and three victims remained hospitalized as of Friday, according to UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital spokesperson Dan Weaver.

Not all victims of the attack sustained physical injuries; some are considered victims because they were in harm’s way during the attack, Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty said Thursday at a news conference.

The injured dog led to an animal cruelty charge against Soliman, Dougherty said.

If convicted of all state charges, Soliman could face up to 672 years in prison, not including additional sentences for assault and use of incendiary devices.

Feds Say Soliman in US Illegally

Federal authorities say Soliman has been living in the United States illegally. After the attack, U.S. immigration officials detained his wife and five children, ages 4 to 17, at a family immigration detention center in Texas.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Tuesday in a post on X said that authorities are investigating whether the family had prior knowledge of the attack or provided support, but they have not been charged with any crimes.

A federal judge issued an order Wednesday halting the deportation of Soliman’s family until a lawsuit challenging their removal can be considered.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

From NTD News