Federal prosecutors have filed charges against Mohamed Sabry Soliman in connection with a violent attack that occurred in Boulder, Colorado, on June 1, 2025. Soliman, 28, has been charged with committing a hate crime after allegedly using molotov cocktails and a makeshift flamethrower during a demonstration advocating for the release of Israeli hostages. The attack resulted in the injury of 12 individuals, including a Holocaust survivor, and has sparked widespread condemnation as a premeditated act of terrorism.
According to authorities, Soliman orchestrated the attack during a public demonstration, where tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict were already high. The demonstration, which had initially been intended as a peaceful protest, quickly escalated into violence when Soliman allegedly launched the incendiary devices into the crowd. Law enforcement officials described the attack as deliberate and carefully planned, noting the use of dangerous and highly destructive weapons such as molotov cocktails and the flamethrower.
The victims, who ranged in age and background, were injured during the chaotic scene, and many required immediate medical attention. Among the victims was a 92-year-old Holocaust survivor, who sustained injuries while attempting to flee the scene. The presence of a Holocaust survivor has added an additional layer of outrage to the attack, as it highlights the deep emotional and historical wounds tied to such an act of violence.
Federal authorities have charged Soliman with a series of serious offenses, including hate crimes, terrorism-related charges, and attempted murder. The hate crime charge stems from the alleged targeting of individuals based on their ethnicity and the inflammatory rhetoric associated with the attack. Soliman could face life imprisonment if convicted on these charges, given the severity of the crimes and the harm caused to multiple victims.
In a statement, the Department of Justice strongly condemned the attack, labeling it as an act of terrorism that aimed to instill fear and cause division among communities. “We will not tolerate any form of violence or hate in this country,” said a spokesperson for the department. “This is a tragic example of an individual using extremist beliefs to harm others, and we will ensure that justice is served.”
The Boulder community, as well as local and national leaders, have expressed outrage over the attack and vowed to take steps to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. Local law enforcement agencies have pledged to work closely with federal authorities in the ongoing investigation, which remains a high priority for officials in Colorado and beyond.
The case has also drawn attention to the broader issue of political violence and extremism, particularly in the context of increasingly polarized political and ideological divisions in the United States. This attack underscores the potential for protests and demonstrations to be hijacked by individuals with violent intentions, and experts have warned of the dangers of rhetoric that stokes division and intolerance.
As the legal process continues, Soliman will face a series of hearings and legal proceedings. His defense team has yet to publicly comment on the charges, and the case is expected to proceed with significant media coverage due to its high-profile nature.
The tragic events in Boulder serve as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by politically motivated violence, and authorities are committed to holding those responsible accountable for their actions.