Boulder, Colorado – A horrific firebombing attack on Sunday afternoon, which injured 12 people gathered for a “Run For Their Lives” event, has sent shockwaves through the community and ignited urgent conversations about rising antisemitism in the United States.
The suspect, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, is now facing federal hate crime charges and multiple counts of attempted murder, with authorities revealing he had allegedly plotted the attack for a year and aimed to “kill all Zionist people.”
The incident unfolded at approximately 1:26 PM local time on Sunday when Soliman, armed with Molotov cocktails and a makeshift flamethrower, allegedly launched his assault on the group advocating for the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza.
Witnesses reported hearing Soliman shout “Free Palestine” during the attack. Twelve individuals, aged between 52 and 88, sustained burns, with some airlifted for specialized treatment. Among the injured is reportedly a Holocaust survivor.
Federal prosecutors quickly filed a hate crime charge against Soliman, who is an Egyptian national. Court documents indicate he confessed to the attack, stating his long-term planning and desire to stop what he called the “Zionist” group.
His bail has been set at an astonishing $10 million. Soliman appeared in court briefly yesterday and is scheduled for another hearing on Thursday where further charges and bail discussions are expected.
The attack has also cast a spotlight on Soliman’s immigration status. While initially described as an “illegal alien” by some officials, Department of Homeland Security officials clarified that Soliman arrived in the U.S. legally on a tourist visa in 2023.
When it expired, he applied for asylum in September 2022, a claim that was still pending. He was granted work authorization in March 2023. In a new development, Soliman’s wife and five children have reportedly been taken into ICE custody for “expedited removal” from the U.S., though federal authorities stated yesterday that the family was cooperative during a search of his home and no criminal charges are pending against them.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis, who is Jewish and knows two of the victims personally, expressed his profound distress, stating, “It would have been wonderful to have prevented this crime before it occurred.”
He emphasized the importance of federal law enforcement tracking such threats and pledged state support for protecting houses of worship.
President Donald Trump also condemned the attack, linking it to “Biden’s ridiculous Open Border Policy” and vowing full prosecution.
The “Run For Their Lives” movement, which holds weekly walks to raise awareness for the Israeli hostages, has been left grappling with heightened security concerns.
While safety has always been a priority, organizers admitted they “never thought such a violent attack would happen.”
Chapters across the country are now re-evaluating security measures, with some considering partnering with non-profits for funding and increasing coordination with local police.
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This Boulder attack is the latest in a troubling surge of antisemitic incidents in the U.S., particularly since the October 2023 conflict between Israel and Hamas. Reports from organizations like the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) indicate a dramatic increase in antisemitic acts, underscoring a growing climate of fear and vulnerability for Jewish communities nationwide.
As the Boulder community begins to heal, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to confront and condemn all forms of hate-motivated violence.
