A Colorado man who orchestrated a premeditated terror attack against pro-Israel demonstrators using homemade incendiary devices now faces federal hate crime charges alongside 16 state counts of attempted first-degree murder, according to newly filed court documents. The suspect spent a full year planning the assault that wounded 12 people during a peaceful rally calling for the release of hostages held by Hamas, with investigators revealing he disguised himself as a gardener to get close to his targets.
Mohamed Soliman, 45, admitted to federal investigators that he conducted online research through YouTube to learn Molotov cocktail construction techniques before purchasing necessary materials and assembling the weapons, ABC News reported. Court filings indicate the Egyptian-born suspect enrolled in a concealed carry course to acquire firearms training but was forced to rely on homemade explosives after being denied gun purchases due to his illegal immigration status.
"Soliman stated he would do it (conduct an attack) again," according to state court documents cited by ABC News. The suspect allegedly revealed to law enforcement that "he wanted to kill all Zionist people and wished they were all dead" while emphasizing his attack targeted supporters of what he called "the killings of people on his land (Palestine)."
Boulder County authorities set Soliman's bond at $10 million during his initial court appearance Monday afternoon, ABC News reported. The father of five acknowledged receiving a protection order prohibiting contact with victims and is scheduled to return Thursday for formal state charge filing.
Federal court papers obtained by ABC News detail how Soliman drove approximately 100 miles from his Colorado Springs residence to Boulder on Sunday, stopping to purchase gasoline along the route. The suspect filled eight glass containers acquired from Target with fuel, placed them in a black storage container, and adopted gardener clothing to blend in among the demonstrators.
Law enforcement officials described how Soliman deployed both a "makeshift flamethrower" and threw incendiary devices into the crowd of pro-Israel supporters gathered at a pedestrian mall, ABC News reported. Witnesses heard him shouting "Free Palestine" during the assault, according to FBI statements.
Social media footage captured during the attack shows Soliman wielding what appeared to be Molotov cocktails while saying "How many children killed" and "end Zionist," court documents revealed to ABC News. The suspect later told investigators he "only threw two at the group because he got scared."
Soliman specifically targeted the Run for Their Lives walk, which seeks to raise awareness about remaining hostages held by Hamas in Gaza while demanding their immediate release, ABC News reported. Court filings indicate he "specifically targeted" this group after discovering them through online searches.
Eight victims, ranging from 52 to 88 years old, required hospitalization Sunday for burn injuries, with two remaining hospitalized as of Monday, according to police statements reported by ABC News. Four additional individuals with minor injuries came forward later, bringing the total victim count to 12.
FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek revealed that 16 unused Molotov cocktails were within "arm's reach" of the suspect during his arrest, ABC News reported. "The unlit Molotov cocktails were comprised of glass wine carafe bottles or Ball jars containing clear liquid and red rags hanging out of the bottles," according to court documents.
Investigators also discovered a "backpack weed sprayer, potentially containing a flammable substance," with laboratory analysis determining both the bottles and sprayer contained 87 octane gasoline mixed with xylene, ABC News reported.
A Department of Homeland Security bulletin reviewed by ABC News characterized the attack as "unique due to both the targeting of people and the use of an improvised flamethrower in addition to [improvised incendiary devices]." The agency expressed ongoing concerns that "successful Homeland attacks and messaging from Foreign Terrorist Organizations and their supporters linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict will continue to inspire violent extremists to mobilize to violence in the United States."
Immigration records show Soliman entered the United States illegally, according to Department of Homeland Security officials cited by ABC News. He arrived in August 2022 on a B2 tourism visa and filed for asylum the following September, but his visa expired in February 2023.
Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Homeland Security, confirmed to ABC News that Soliman received a work permit after his visa expiration, but that authorization ended March 28, making his presence in the country illegal since then. The suspect worked as an Uber driver until the company banned his account following the attack.
Boulder Mayor Aaron Brockett emphasized the meaningful nature of the weekly Run for Their Lives demonstrations while condemning the violence. "It's very meaningful. And it is just so outrageous and despicable that such a peaceful, well-intentioned gathering was violated like this with a horrific act of violence," he told ABC News Live Monday.
"I have heard from our Jewish residents about the fear that they've had. And of course, those fears came true yesterday with that horrific terrorist attack," Brockett stated. "So we have to work together to combat this rising antisemitism and make sure that everyone in our community is safe and valued and certainly our Jewish community members."
Attorney General Pamela Bondi issued a statement Monday declaring, "We will never tolerate this kind of hatred. We refuse to accept a world in which Jewish Americans are targeted for who they are and what they believe."
President Donald Trump addressed the attack for the first time Monday through a Truth Social post, writing that the crimes will be "prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law." "This is yet another example of why we must keep our Borders SECURE, and deport Illegal, Anti-American Radicals from our Homeland. My heart goes out to the victims of this terrible tragedy, and the Great People of Boulder, Colorado!" the president added.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio responded via Twitter Monday, stating, "In light of yesterday's horrific attack, all terrorists, their family members, and terrorist sympathizers here on a visa should know that under the Trump Administration we will find you, revoke your visa, and deport you."
Former President Joe Biden released a statement Monday saying he and former first lady Jill Biden are "praying for the victims of the violent, targeted attack on the Jewish community in Boulder." "We must stand united against Antisemitic violence and hate," he concluded.
