Federal A man shouting “Free Palestine!” launched a violent assault on a group advocating for the release of Israeli hostages in Colorado on Sunday, using incendiary devices and a homemade flamethrower in what authorities are describing as a deliberate antisemitic attack.
Witnesses at the scene recalled terrifying moments as massive flames erupted, with bystanders rushing to help the injured by dousing them with buckets of water. According to officials, at least 12 people were hurt in the attack, including four men and four women ranging in age from 52 to 88. Two victims had to be airlifted to medical facilities in the Denver metro area due to the severity of their injuries.
Despite the injuries, no fatalities have been reported as of Monday morning, according to the Boulder Police Department.
The FBI has announced it is investigating Sunday’s violent assault in Boulder as “an act of terrorism.” The attack occurred during a weekly walk held in support of Israeli hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza. Among those injured was a Holocaust survivor, according to a witness who knows the victim and was present at the event.
The suspect, identified as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, has been charged with a federal hate crime, according to a criminal affidavit filed Sunday. In addition to the federal charge, Soliman is facing a long list of state-level charges, including 16 counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts related to the use of incendiary devices, 16 counts of attempted use of an incendiary device, and eight counts of first-degree assault.
Authorities had initially booked him on two counts of first-degree murder, though no fatalities have been confirmed.
If convicted of the federal hate crime, Soliman could face life in prison, according to Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado, J. Bishop Grewell. On the state level, he could face a sentence of up to 384 years if found guilty on all 16 counts of attempted murder, Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty said.
Investigators recovered 16 unused Molotov cocktails at the scene, Dougherty added during a press conference on Monday.
Soliman made his initial court appearance Monday via video from Boulder County Jail, wearing an orange jumpsuit. The judge set his bond at $10 million cash. A second court appearance is scheduled for Thursday afternoon, when formal charges are expected to be filed.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized that the Justice Department is committed to ensuring Soliman is “held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
According to a federal affidavit, Soliman threw two Molotov cocktails before being taken into custody. He reportedly arrived at the scene around 1 p.m. Authorities noted that several witnesses initially mistook him for a gardener based on his appearance and equipment.
According to federal charging documents, Mohamed Sabry Soliman told local and federal investigators during an interview that he had learned how to make Molotov cocktails by watching YouTube videos. He admitted to purchasing the necessary materials and assembling the incendiary devices himself.
Police also recovered a “backpack weed sprayer” at the scene, which, along with several glass bottles, was found to contain gasoline typically used at gas stations, as well as xylene—a colorless, highly flammable, and sweet-smelling chemical, court records state.
A source familiar with the investigation told CNN that authorities are currently evaluating whether Soliman may have any underlying mental health issues. Law enforcement also conducted a search of his residence in Colorado Springs, located about 100 miles south of Boulder, according to the affidavit.
Sunday’s violent assault in Boulder occurred less than two weeks after two young Israeli Embassy staff members were fatally shot in Washington, D.C., by a gunman who claimed he acted “for Gaza.”
Ted Deutch, CEO of the American Jewish Committee, pointed to a growing pattern of violence targeting Jewish communities. “The Jewish community has been warning the world that chants of ‘globalize the Intifada’ and ‘resistance by any means necessary’ are calls to violence,” Deutch posted on social media.
What We Know About the Boulder Attack
Weekly Peace Walk Turns into Chaos
The attack took place during a weekly gathering on Boulder’s Pearl Street pedestrian mall known as “Run for Their Lives.” The event, held regularly since mid-October 2023, seeks to raise awareness about Israeli hostages being held by Hamas and advocates for their release.
“This global grassroots movement was founded on October 15, 2023—just a week after the horrific terrorist attacks by Hamas,” the organization said in a statement.
Planned and Targeted
According to a federal affidavit, Mohamed Sabry Soliman deliberately targeted the group after researching them online. He was aware of the event’s regular Sunday schedule and had been planning the attack for about a year. Investigators say he waited to carry out the assault until after his daughter’s graduation.
Witness Accounts: “Throwing Fire”
Witness Brian Horwitz told CNN that he and his family were eating at a nearby food hall when chaos erupted. A woman came running toward them, shouting that a man was “throwing fire” at people.
Horwitz rushed to the scene and saw a man carrying what looked like a garden sprayer strapped to his back. Another bystander was attempting to de-escalate the situation, but the suspect, believed to be Soliman, reportedly continued shouting hateful and threatening remarks.
After calling 911, witness Brian Horwitz rushed to help the victims. He described finding an elderly woman lying unresponsive on the ground, surrounded by several people trying to comfort and protect her.
“There were people wrapping her up, making sure she was okay,” Horwitz recalled. Nearby restaurant workers brought over large buckets of ice water to help extinguish flames on the victims. Horwitz grabbed a bucket himself and filled it from a courtyard fountain. “I just kept filling it up and pouring it on their legs,” he said.
Community in Shock and Mourning
Many of those injured are longtime members of Boulder’s Jewish community, according to Elyana Funk, executive director of the University of Colorado Boulder Hillel. She spoke with several victims, including a woman who is recovering from severe burns.
Among the wounded were a mother and daughter; the mother, in her 80s, is a Holocaust survivor. “She’s already endured a lifetime of trauma,” Funk added.
Victims Include Members of Local Congregation
Six of the injured are members of Congregation Bonai Shalom, according to CNN affiliate KUSA. Four of them were hospitalized and later released, while two were airlifted to a medical facility in the Denver area, said Rabbi Marc Soloway.
One victim remains in serious condition. “Tragically, the person most severely injured was attending the walk for the first time,” Soloway said.
He described the congregation as a tight-knit group, deeply shaken by the attack. “We’re all just feeling broken—angry, grieving, and overwhelmed by sadness and hopelessness,” the rabbi said.
Suspect Was in U.S. Illegally
Videos obtained by CNN show him shirtless, standing on a grassy area near the scene of the attack, surrounded by rising black smoke and visible burn marks on the ground.
According to police, Soliman removed his vest and shirt after they caught fire during the attack. He sustained burns to his hands and was transported to a hospital following his arrest.
Officials also confirmed that Soliman is not a U.S. citizen. He had entered the country on a tourist visa and had overstayed his permitted stay, raising additional legal concerns beyond the numerous criminal charges he now faces.
Following his arrest, Mohamed Sabry Soliman told investigators he intended to kill “all Zionist people” and expressed a desire for their deaths, according to a federal affidavit. He also reportedly said he would carry out such an attack again if given the chance.
Soliman “planned on dying” during Sunday’s assault, according to an arrest warrant. He told authorities he only threw two Molotov cocktails because he became frightened, saying he had never harmed anyone before.
According to the warrant, Soliman said he did not share his plan with anyone in advance.
Investigators learned that Soliman had taken a concealed-carry firearms course and received shooting instruction. However, he was unable to purchase a firearm because he is not a U.S. citizen.
As of Sunday, the FBI was actively working to determine whether Soliman may be suffering from any mental health issues, a source familiar with the investigation told CNN.
Visa History and Immigration Status
Soliman, an Egyptian national, arrived in the United States in August 2022 on a B-2 tourist visa, which expired in February 2023, according to Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security.
In September 2022, just weeks after arriving in the U.S., Soliman filed for asylum. He was granted work authorization in March 2023, with that authorization valid through March 2025. However, authorities say it appears he remained in the country illegally after his status lapsed.
Law enforcement sources also told CNN that Soliman had previously applied for asylum in 2005 and was denied a visa at that time.
Jewish Leaders on Edge After Second Antisemitic Attack in Two Weeks
Jewish community leaders across the United States are expressing alarm following another violent antisemitic incident, the second in just two weeks.
In response to the escalating threat, Fingerhut proposed a six-point plan urging the federal government to take immediate action to protect Jewish Americans and prevent future acts of hate-fueled violence.
Eric D. Fingerhut, president of the Jewish Federations of North America, outlined a comprehensive response plan aimed at countering rising antisemitic threats. His recommendations include increasing federal funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to $1 billion to meet urgent security needs, allocating resources for security personnel at Jewish institutions, enhancing the FBI’s domestic intelligence capabilities to prevent extremist violence, and holding social media platforms accountable for hosting and amplifying antisemitic rhetoric and incitement.
In the wake of Sunday’s attack, Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn announced that the department would boost officer presence at local community events over the next 7 to 10 days.
“Our goal is to make sure that people feel safe and supported as they gather—whether to reflect on what happened or to participate in other planned events,” Redfearn said during a press briefing Monday.
Rabbi Marc Soloway of Congregation Bonai Shalom, where several members were injured in the attack, said armed security is now required at all services held at the synagogue.
Heightened security measures are being implemented in cities nationwide. In Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass announced on Sunday that an emergency meeting would be held at City Hall to address security concerns ahead of the Jewish holiday Shavuot. The Los Angeles Police Department is conducting additional patrols at synagogues and Jewish community centers throughout the city.
On the East Coast, the New York Police Department confirmed that it has increased its presence at synagogues and religious sites across the city in preparation for Shavuot observances.