Mohammed Sabry Soliman, an Egyptian national, stands accused of throwing incendiary devices into a group of pro-Israel protesters in Boulder, Colorado, during a demonstration organized to raise awareness for Israeli hostages held in Gaza. According to the FBI, Soliman meticulously planned the attack for a year, using social media to locate his targets.
On Sunday, he allegedly launched two Molotov cocktails at demonstrators while shouting "Free Palestine," leading to injuries for eight individuals, including a Holocaust survivor. Emergency responders transported twelve victims to nearby hospitals, revealing the gravity of the attack as four more individuals sought treatment after initially remaining silent.
In court appearances, Soliman appeared via video link from the Boulder County Jail, answering procedural questions while remaining largely uncommunicative. The FBI revealed that he had expressed his intent to kill "all Zionists," with plans in place to carry out the attack after his daughter's high school graduation, emphasizing the premeditated nature of the act.
Additional details emerged, showing that authorities discovered 16 unlit Molotov cocktails and a gasoline sprayer in Soliman's possession. He had disguised himself as a gardener to maximize his proximity to the gathering and stated that his immigration status restricted him from purchasing firearms, prompting his reliance on Molotov cocktails.
Law enforcement highlighted that prior to this incident, there were no indicators suggesting that Soliman posed a threat. Following the attack, the community voiced concerns about a disturbing rise in antisemitic violence, evidently linked to the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.
As investigations continue, the situation raises alarms regarding the safety of Jewish communities across America, especially in light of recent attacks targeting individuals for their political or religious affiliations.
