What We Know About the Colorado Suspect Behind the Antisemitic Attack in Boulder
For a year, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, quietly planned a violent act fueled by hatred—one he would ultimately unleash on a peaceful Jewish demonstration in downtown Boulder, Colorado. What started as a quiet life in the U.S. with a wife and five children ended in flames, violence, and a federal hate crime charge.
A Carefully Planned Attack
On Sunday, Soliman brought a homemade flamethrower, Molotov cocktails, and a backpack filled with gasoline to a peaceful rally calling for the release of hostages from Gaza. According to federal documents, Soliman attacked the demonstrators while shouting “Free Palestine” and “End Zionists!” The FBI says 12 people were injured, some suffering severe burns.
Authorities say Soliman admitted he had intended to kill “all Zionist people,” calling it a mission he postponed only to see his daughter graduate high school.
What Led Up to the Violence
Soliman’s anger had reportedly been simmering for years, driven by strong anti-Zionist and anti-Israel beliefs. His digital footprint shows support for the Muslim Brotherhood and former Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi, who was ousted in a 2013 military coup. Posts on a Facebook account matching his name included symbolic imagery supporting protests at Rabaa al-Adawiya Square, where Egyptian forces brutally cracked down on Morsi supporters.
He told federal agents that he learned to build Molotov cocktails by watching YouTube tutorials and took a concealed-carry course, but couldn’t legally purchase a firearm due to his immigration status.
A Father With a Double Life
In stark contrast to the violence he planned, Soliman was also known as a father and former accountant. He lived in Colorado Springs with his family and had brief stints as an employee at Veros Health and as an Uber driver. Neighbors say they occasionally saw his children playing outside, and one described his wife as friendly.
His daughter, believed to be the student profiled in a Colorado Springs Gazette article, earned a scholarship to pursue medical school. In her essay, she described her father undergoing a life-changing surgery that restored his ability to walk—an event that inspired her medical dreams.
“Coming to the USA has fundamentally changed me,” she wrote. “Most importantly, I came to appreciate that family is the unchanging support.”
From Immigration Hopes to Federal Charges
Soliman first attempted to enter the U.S. in 2005 but was denied a visa. He successfully entered in August 2022 as a non-immigrant visitor and later received a two-year work permit, which expired this past March.
Before the attack, Soliman left behind a hidden iPhone with messages to his family and a journal. On the day of the assault, he disguised himself in a utility vest and bought flowers from Home Depot—possibly to avoid suspicion.
Witnesses initially mistook him for a gardener.
He attacked the demonstrators with the flamethrower and tried to use Molotov cocktails, according to authorities. Police later found at least 14 unlit firebombs in a nearby container. Bystanders captured video of Soliman shirtless, yelling, and pacing, just before his arrest.
Law Enforcement: No Prior Red Flags
Despite the violent nature of the attack, Soliman wasn’t previously on law enforcement’s radar. His only known interactions with Colorado police involved a few minor traffic infractions and non-criminal calls to his residence.
He has no criminal history in the state.
Hate Crime Charges and Community Reaction
Soliman now faces both federal hate crime charges and state charges of attempted murder. According to court documents, he admitted he targeted the group because he “hated the Zionist group” and believed they were “taking over our land,” referring to Palestine.
The Islamic Center of Boulder publicly condemned the attack, calling it “targeted violence.” Meanwhile, Jewish leaders are renewing calls for increased vigilance in the face of rising antisemitic threats.
This attack comes just weeks after a gunman killed two staff members at the Israeli Embassy—another incident where the attacker reportedly shouted “Free Palestine!”
Source: CNN – What we know about Colorado suspect’s life leading up to antisemitic attack
