Boulder, Colorado (AP) – As a resident of Boulder, he became involved in a firebombing incident that resulted in 12 individuals injured during a demonstration advocating for the release of Israeli hostages. Local residents were preparing to assemble for the rally on Wednesday.
Mohamed Sabri Soliman intended to harm all 20 attendees at a demonstration held on Sunday at the popular Pearl Street pedestrian mall, launching two of his 18 Molotov cocktails while shouting “Free Palestine.” Soliman, an Egyptian national, is reported by federal officials to be living in the United States illegally. “He was frightened and had not hurt anyone prior,” police noted in an affidavit.
His wife and five children were taken into custody by US immigration officials on Tuesday, with the White House indicating they could face swift deportation. It is uncommon for the families of individuals accused of crimes to be detained and threatened with such deportation.
In statements to authorities, Soliman mentioned that no one, including his family, was aware of the attack, and court documents reveal his name is sometimes spelled “Mohammed.”
An FBI affidavit states that Soliman expressed a determination to “kill all Zionist people,” referring to a movement dedicated to establishing and safeguarding Israel’s Jewish state. Officials reported he displayed no remorse for the attack.
A vigil has been scheduled for Wednesday evening to support those impacted by the incidents at the local Jewish Community Center.
Immigration Status of the Defendant
Soliman hails from Elmota Media, an Egyptian agricultural village situated in the Nile Delta province of Galbia, approximately 120 kilometers (75 miles) north of Cairo.
According to court documents, he lived in Kuwait for 17 years before relocating to Colorado Springs three years ago.
He is in the United States illegally, having entered on a tourist visa that expired in February 2023, as stated by Homeland Security Deputy Director Tricia McLaughlin on a post on X.
The DHS has not provided additional information regarding the immigration status of his wife and children. The US State Department maintains that visa records are confidential. The New York Times quoted McLaughlin stating that his family’s visa has been canceled, and he was arrested on ice on Tuesday.
Each year, according to a report from the Department of Homeland Security, hundreds of thousands of individuals obtain visas in the United States.
Legal Proceedings Against Soliman
Soliman informed authorities that he had been planning the attack for a year, waiting for his daughter’s graduation to execute it, per the affidavit.
A Colorado Springs newspaper highlighted one of Soliman’s children, mentioning she had a familial journey from Egypt to Kuwait, and after facing initial difficulties at school, she received academic honors and volunteered at a local hospital.
Currently, Soliman faces federal hate crime charges and attempted murder charges at the state level, though authorities note that more charges may follow. He is being held in the county jail on a $10 million bond.
His attorney, Kathryn Herold, declined to comment after a state court session on Monday.
Witnesses and law enforcement indicated that Soliman hurled two incendiaries, igniting the second one. Authorities believe Soliman acted independently, although they did not provide details concerning his injuries; booking photos revealed a large bandage on one ear.
This attack occurred in the context of the Israel-Hamas War, which continues to exacerbate global tensions and lead to an increase in anti-Semitic violence in the United States. The incident coincided with the beginning of the Shavuot Jewish Holiday and followed the indictment of a man who shouted “Free Palestine” after fatally shooting two Israeli embassy staff outside the Jewish Museum in Washington.
Hospitalization of Six Victims
The ages of the victims ranged from 52 to 88, with injuries varying from serious to minor, officials stated. They were members of a volunteer group known as “Ran for their lives,” which conducts weekly demonstrations.
Spokesperson Kelly Christensen reported that three victims remained hospitalized at the University of Colorado Hospital on Tuesday.
One of the victims, a child when her family fled the Nazis during the Holocaust, was mentioned by Ginger Delgado of the Arapaho County Sheriff’s Office, who served as a spokesperson for a family member wishing to remain anonymous.
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Associated Press reporters contributing to this report include Eric Tucker in Washington, Heather Hollingsworth in Kansas City, Sammy Magdy in Cairo, Sean Murphy in Oklahoma City, and Harry Golden in Seattle.
Source: apnews.com