A man has been charged with a federal hate crime and 16 counts of attempted murder, after 12 people were injured in an attack on a “Run For Their Lives” event in Boulder, Colorado, on Sunday afternoon, a gathering for activists demanding the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
Eyewitnesses reported that the attacker shouted “Free Palestine!” before firing incendiary devices, including a “makeshift flamethrower” and Molotov cocktails, at the demonstrators, according to the FBI, which is investigating the incident as “a targeted terror attack.”
Suspect Mohamed Sabry Soliman is said to have told authorities he spent a year planning the attack and had researched and specifically targeted a “Zionist group.”
The injured are understood to be aged between 52 and 88 and were rushed to hospitals in the Denver metro area.
The eldest among them is also a Holocaust survivor, according to Rabbi Israel Wilhelm, the Chabad director at the University of Colorado Boulder.
Soliman, 45, was detained at the scene and is reportedly an Egyptian national who entered the United States on a visa that expired two years ago but was then granted work authorization lasting until March 2025.
Read More
Boulder terror attack latest
- Full report: Attacker yelled ‘Free Palestine’ as he threw Molotov cocktails at pro-Israel march, FBI says
- Mohamed Soliman charged with murder over Colorado firebomb attack
- Everything we know about the suspect
- Victims include Holocaust survivor
- Suspect planned for a year and specifically targeted Jewish group
- Was Colorado suspect Mohamed Soliman an illegal immigrant? It's complicated
What we know so far
15:04
,
Oliver O'Connell
- Twelve people were injured in an attack on a “Run For Their Lives” event in Boulder, Colorado, on Sunday afternoon — a gathering for activists demanding the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
- Eyewitnesses reported that the attacker shouted “Free Palestine!” before using incendiary devices, including a “makeshift flamethrower” and Molotov cocktails, against the crowd. FBI investigating what it has called “a targeted terror attack."
- Injured individuals are reported to be aged between 52 and 88 and were rushed to hospitals in the Denver metro area, with the eldest believed to be a Holocaust survivor.
- The suspect is named as Mohamed Soliman, 45. He was detained at the scene and is reportedly an Egyptian national who entered the U.S. on a now-expired visa.
- Soliman told police he had planned the attack for a year and had specifically targeted what he called a “Zionist group.”
- He is charged with 16 counts of attempted murder as well as federal hate crime charges.
Neighbors describe Colorado attack suspect: 'There was never any aggression'
04:00
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Josh Marcus
Neighbors say they are stunned that Colorado Springs man Mohamed Soliman is accused of attacking a group of Jewish activists with Molotov cocktails and a homemade incendiary device over the weekend.
“There was never any aggression or signs of it,” one neighbor told The Colorado Springs Gazette.
Another, Craig Martinez, told Colorado Public Radio that Soliman and his family appeared typical.
"The kids were outside, especially during the summer months. Their front door would be wide open and they were kind of just hanging out," Martinez said. "I feel terrible for everybody involved. I feel terrible for the people attacked. I feel terrible for the family. I feel for everybody.
Colorado incident follows series of attacks with Jewish victims
03:30
,
Josh Marcus
Sunday’s fire attack in Colorado against a group of activists raising awareness of hostages in Hamas custody follows a string of violent incidents in recent weeks.
They bear some similarities, with victims who were Jewish and alleged attackers who claimed affiliation with the Palestinian cause.
Last month, a couple working at the Israeli embassy in Washington were killed by a gunman while leaving an event at a Jewish museum.
Chicago man Elias Rodriguez, 30, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder over their killings.
Rodriguez chanted “free, free Palestine,” according to police, after reportedly shooting at the couple at least 21 times.
In April, Pennsylvania man Cody Balmer allegedly set fire to the residence of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, among the highest-profile Jewish officials in the country, telling a 911 operator just before the arson that he would “not take part in [Shapiro’s] plans for what he wants to do to the Palestinian people,” according to a search warrant.
There were more than 9,300 antisemitic incidents across the U.S. in 2024, according to data released by the Anti-Defamation League, the highest level ever recorded by the civil rights organization.
ICYMI: Everything we know about the Colorado terror attack suspect
02:30
,
Josh Marcus
A peaceful demonstration on Sunday raising awareness for Israeli hostages took a harrowing turn after a man allegedly used Molotov cocktails to set marchers ablaze.
Police in Boulder, Colorado have arrested Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, in connection with the attack. The FBI called the attack a "targeted act of violence” and is investigating it as an act of terrorism.
The man allegedly shouted “Free Palestine!” as he used a “makeshift flame thrower” and threw an “incendiary device” into the crowd, the FBI said. Some 16 unused Molotov cocktails were found at the scene.
Twelve people were injured in the attack, with one in critical condition. The victims have not been publicly identified.
Here’s what you need to know.
What comes next in the Mohamed Sabry Soliman investigation?
02:00
,
Josh Marcus
Officials are just getting started unraveling what led Mohamed Sabry Soliman to allegedly attack a group of Jewish activists on Sunday at a hostage march in Colorado.
Soliman was reportedly cooperative after being arrested on Sunday, and told the FBI about an iPhone hidden in his Colorado Springs home with messages to his family, as well as a journal.
The Egyptian national already told investigators about what motivated the attack, according to the FBI, with Soliman saying he “hated this group and needed to stop them from taking over ‘our land,’ which he explained to be Palestine,” according to court documents.
Soliman is due next in court at 3:30pm MT on Thursday, where he will face the official filing of state charges.
He is currently in jail in Boulder County on $10 million bond.
READ: The full federal complaint against Mohamed Sabry Soliman
01:30
Mohamed Sabry Soliman is facing both state and federal charges for allegedly attacking a group of Jewish activists on Sunday who turned out for an event in support of Israeli hostages held in Hamas captivity.
In a criminal complaint released by federal officials, the FBI alleges Soliman told agents he had been planning the fire bomb attack for over a year, and that documents with words like “Israel,” “Palestine,” and “USAID” were found in his vehicle.
Read the full complaint here.
Trump blames Colorado pro-Israel terror attack on Biden’s ‘ridiculous open border policy’
01:00
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Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump has blamed the flamethrower attack in Boulder on Joe Biden, claiming that the suspect in custody had entered the U.S. under the former president’s “ridiculous open border policy.”
“Yesterday’s horrific attack in Boulder, Colorado, WILL NOT BE TOLERATED in the United States of America,” the president fumed on Truth Social.
It comes after the suspect of the attack, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, was charged with a federal hate crime “involving actual or perceived race, religion, or national origin.”
Mike Bedigan has the details.
Colorado governor says Mohamed Soliman should 'never see the light of day'
00:45
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Josh Marcus
Governor Jared Polis is calling on officials to bring steep penalties against Mohamed Soliman, the Egyptian national accused of attacking a group of Jewish activists with Molotov cocktails as he yelled “Free Palestine” at an event raising awareness about hostages in Gaza on Sunday .
“Clearly he should never see the light of day again,” Polis told CNN on Monday night.
Soliman is facing a federal hate crime charge, as well as a variety of state charges for allegedly carrying out the attack, which injured 12 people.
The federal charge alone could carry a life sentence.
Police chief 'so grateful' suspect in Colorado 'terror attack' couldn't buy gun
00:25
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Josh Marcus
Boulder Police Chief Stephen Stephen Redfearn said on Monday that a weekend terror attack against Jewish activists could’ve been much worse if suspect Mohamed Sabry Soliman had been able to purchase a gun.
“I am so grateful that didn’t happen,” Redfearn told CNN. “I can’t imagine how much worse this would be if he was able to do that.”
Officials said earlier on Monday that Soliman attempted to buy a gun before the attack, but that the Egyptian national was unable to because he isn’t a U.S. citizen.
The FBI said Soliman confessed to planning the assault for a year, a plot Redfearn described as a terrorist attack, despite previously stopping short of doing so.
The chief said he initially declined to use that language publicly given the early stage of the investigation, but was now confident the incident was a “targeted terrorist attack.
“This was indeed terrorism and I stand by that,” he added.
Colorado fire attack suspect told Boulder police he’d do it again and specifically targeted ‘Zionist group’
00:00
,
Oliver O'Connell
A peaceful demonstration raising awareness for Israeli hostages took a harrowing turn after a man allegedly used Molotov cocktails to set marchers ablaze.
Police in Boulder, Colorado have arrested Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, in connection with the attack. The FBI called the attack a "targeted act of violence” and is investigating it as an act of terrorism.
The man allegedly shouted “Free Palestine!” as he used a “makeshift flame thrower” and threw an “incendiary device” into the crowd, the FBI said. Some 16 unused Molotov cocktails were found at the scene.
Eight people were injured in the attack, with one in critical condition. The victims have not been publicly identified.
Here’s everything we know about the attack.
Boulder suspect ‘looked like a gardener'
23:30
,
Oliver O'Connell
Bystanders initially believed that the man arrested over a suspected terror attack in Colorado was just a gardener, before he unleashed chaos on pro-Israel demonstrators using a “makeshift flamethrower,” officials have said.
Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, was carrying a garden sprayer filled with gasoline and had reportedly been lurking in the area for at least 20 minutes before allegedly unleashing hell in Boulder on Sunday.
Mike Bedigan reports.
How did Colorado suspect Mohamed Soliman enter the United States?
23:18
,
Josh Marcus
Republicans were quick to blame the previous administration’s immigration policies for Sunday’s fire attack on a group of Jewish activists in Colorado.
“[Soliman] came in through Biden’s ridiculous Open Border Policy, which has hurt our Country so badly,” President Trump wrote on Truth Social on Monday. “He must go out under ‘TRUMP’ Policy. Acts of Terrorism will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law.”
In fact, the story of how Soliman came into the country is slightly more complicated than the Egyptian national simply crossing a border.
Soliman first entered the U.S. legally in August of 2022 on a B2 visitor visa, a program usually used for tourism and other short-term trips, according to the Department of Homeland Security. He then applied for asylum in September 2022.
Though Soliman’s B2 visa expired the following February, the Egyptian remained in the U.S. under a work permit he was granted in March of 2023 by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
That status reportedly expired in March of this year, meaning Soliman was no longer in the country legally at the time of the Sunday fire attack.
Still, based on the available information, Soliman wouldn’t have been eligible for deportation yet because of his asylum claim.
“This is a semantics issue at some level,” Muzaffar Chishti, a senior fellow at the Migration Policy Institute, told The Washington Post. “He didn’t have legal status, but he was not removable because he was an asylum applicant.”
Soliman appears in court
22:44
,
Oliver O'Connell
Mohamed Soliman appeared in court at the Boulder County Jail for a brief hearing.
He appeared calm and spoke only briefly to confirm that he understood the court’s protection order, which forbids him from contacting the victims.
His head appeared extensively bandaged, more so than in the earlier mug shot.
Soliman will return to court on Thursday at the same time for the filing of charges.
Watch LIVE: Suspect in Boulder firebomb attacks appears in court
22:24
,
Oliver O'Connell
Warrant: Suspect planned on dying in attack
22:20
,
Oliver O'Connell
According to the warrant for his arrest, suspect Mohamed Soliman “planned on dying” during Sunday’s attack.
Soliman “mentioned several times he wanted to be dead” in interviews with law enforcement, the warrant states.
It further says he only threw two Molotov cocktails because he “got scared and had never hurt anyone before.”
16 unused Molotov cocktails were found at the scene.
“He said he had to do it, he should do it, and he would not forgive himself if he did not do it,” the warrant states.
In addition, the FBI affidavit says: “He stated that he had been planning the attack for a year and was waiting until after his daughter graduated to conduct the attack."
At this afternoon’s press conference, it was revealed that the suspect’s family was cooperative when the FBI executed a search warrant. A question regarding their immigration status was referred to the Department of Homeland Security.
Perpetrator appeared to act alone
21:53
,
Oliver O'Connell
Mark McCulloch, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Denver field office, said that since two o'clock yesterday, more than 30 special agents, intelligence experts and professional staff have deployed to provide forensic, investigative and crisis management support, as well as additional resources are being surged from other field offices and at our headquarters in Washington, DC.
“It appears the perpetrator acted alone. We do continue to investigate all possibilities and pursue all investigative leads. If we uncover evidence that others knew of this attack or supported the subject in this attack, rest assured that we will aggressively move to hold them accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
Soliman charged with 16 counts of attempted murder
21:47
,
Oliver O'Connell
In addition to the federal charge against him, Soliman is charged with 16 counts of attempted murder in the first degree.
Eight of those counts are for attempted murder with intent and after deliberation.
The other eight counts are attempted murder with extreme indifference.
He's also charged with two counts of use of an incendiary device, and 16 other counts of attempted use of an incendiary device.
The judge set a $10 million cash-only bond on the state charges.
The number of injured has risen to 12.
Suspect tried to purchase gun
21:43
,
Oliver O'Connell
United States Attorney for the District of Colorado J. Bishop Grewell confirms that the suspect, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, had tried to buy a gun but could not due to his immigration status.
He then formed the plan to use Molotov cocktails in his attack on the advocacy group for Israeli hostages.
Watch LIVE: Boulder firebomb attacks press conference
21:33
,
Oliver O'Connell
Rubio: Terrorist sympathizer will have visas revoked
21:22
,
Oliver O'Connell
Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoes Kristi Noem in his remarks on yesterday’s attack in Boulder, Colorado.
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.
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.
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) June 2, 2025
Noem: No room in U.S. for 'rest of world’s terrorist sympathizers'
21:10
,
Oliver O'Connell
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem says there is no room in the U.S. for “the rest of the world’s terrorist sympathizers.”
“We will find you, deport you, and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law,” she posted on X.
Here’s her full statement:
There is NO room in the United States for the rest of the world’s terrorist sympathizers. Anyone who thinks they can come to America and hide behind the First Amendment to advocate for antisemitic violence and terrorism – think again. You are not welcome here. We will find you, deport you, and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law. Our prayers are with the victims, families, and people of Boulder, Colorado. This evil has to STOP now.
There is NO room in the United States for the rest of the world’s terrorist sympathizers. Anyone who thinks they can come to America and hide behind the First Amendment to advocate for antisemitic violence and terrorism – think again. You are not welcome here. We will find you,…
— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) June 2, 2025
What did we learn from the FBI affidavit?
20:56
,
Oliver O'Connell
Mohamed Soliman, 45, had planned the attack for over a year. Investigators discovered 14 gasoline-filled Molotov cocktails near the location where the suspect was detained.
The police also found a gasoline canister in his car parked nearby and a weed sprayer filled with gasoline at the scene. Soliman told investigators that he had learned how to make the fire bombs from YouTube.
The affidavit references a video shared on social media during the attack, showing Soliman “shirtless, pacing back and forth while holding what appear to be Molotov cocktails.”
The suspect, who was being detained in lieu of $10 million bail, according to official records, told police he “wanted to kill all Zionist people and wished they were all dead,” the affidavit said.
The attack represents the latest act of violence targeting Jewish Americans, fueled by the outrage over Israel's escalating military offensive in Gaza. It came after the fatal shooting of two Israeli Embassy aides that occurred outside Washington's Capital Jewish Museum last month.
With reporting from Reuters
20:47
,
Oliver O'Connell
There appears to have been a delay in court proceedings, which will now take place at 3:30 p.m. MT.
The official press conference is still expected to take place at 2:30 p.m. MT — in about 45 minutes.
Watch LIVE: Suspect in Boulder firebomb attacks appears in court after terrorizing Israeli hostage march
20:26
,
Oliver O'Connell
Trump blames Colorado pro-Israel terror attack on Biden’s ‘ridiculous open border policy’
20:18
,
Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump has blamed the flamethrower attack in Boulder on Joe Biden, claiming that the suspect in custody had entered the U.S. under the former president’s “ridiculous open border policy.”
“Yesterday’s horrific attack in Boulder, Colorado, WILL NOT BE TOLERATED in the United States of America,” the president fumed on Truth Social.
Mike Bedigan reports.
Read the full federal criminal complaint against firebombing suspect
20:02
,
Oliver O'Connell
Mohammed Sabry Soliman is charged with a federal hate crime involving actual or perceived race, religion, or national origin.
Suspect worked as Uber delivery driver
19:55
,
Oliver O'Connell
Mohamed Soliman most recently worked as a driver for Uber, according to CBS News.
A spokesperson for the company said he has now been terminated.
News: Uber was the most recent workplace for the man who burned multiple people at a peaceful march in Colorado in support of Israelis taken hostage by Hamas. Mohamed Soliman began driving passengers about 9 months ago and had remained an active driver, @CBSNews reports. He…
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) June 2, 2025
Boulder terror attack suspect to appear in court this afternoon
19:46
,
Mike Bedigan
Mohamed Sabry Soliman is due to appear in court today at 3:30 p.m. ET.
The proceedings from the courtroom located within the Boulder County Jail, will be livestreamed.
Israeli hostages advocacy group ‘targeted’ in ‘blatantly antisemitic’ Boulder attack
19:38
,
Oliver O'Connell
Eight people were injured after a man used a “makeshift flamethrower” and threw Molotov cocktails at members of the group Run for Their Lives who were rallying in Boulder for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza, police said.
The founder of Run for Their Lives, Shany Klein, a licensed attorney in California and Israel, thanked law enforcement and fire department officials for “their quick response” and said her “thoughts and prayers were with the victims,” who she hoped would have a “speedy recovery.”
She stressed that Run for Their Lives would continue to be “committed to our mission until all the hostages are returned back home.”
Madeline Sherratt reports.
Attorney General condemns 'vile' antisemitic attack
19:24
,
Oliver O'Connell
Attorney General Pam Bondi denounced the “vile” antisemitic attack in Boulder, Colorado.
She said that the Department of Justice will hold the perpetrator “accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
Here’s her full statement:
“The Department of Justice has swiftly charged the illegal alien perpetrator of this heinous attack with a federal hate crime and will hold him accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Our prayers are with the victims and our Jewish community across the world,”
Bondi continues: “This vile anti-Semitic violence comes just weeks after the horrific murder of two young Jewish Americans in Washington D.C. 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.”
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon also released a statement: “No American should experience violence motivated by hatred based on their faith or national origin, and the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice will act swiftly and decisively to bring the perpetrators of such crimes to justice. There can be zero tolerance for such acts in our great nation.”
What do we know about the suspect?
19:15
,
Oliver O'Connell
A peaceful demonstration raising awareness for Israeli hostages took a harrowing turn after a man allegedly used Molotov cocktails to set marchers ablaze.
Police in Boulder, Colorado have arrested Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, in connection with the attack. The FBI called the attack a "targeted act of violence” and is investigating it as an act of terrorism.
The man allegedly shouted “Free Palestine!” as he used a “makeshift flame thrower” and threw an “incendiary device” into the crowd, the FBI said. Some 16 unused Molotov cocktails were found at the scene.
Eight people were injured in the attack, with one in critical condition. The victims have not been publicly identified.
Here’s everything we know about the attack.
Press conference set for 2:30pm MT
19:00
,
Oliver O'Connell
Boulder District Attorney Michael Dougherty and acting United States Attorney for the District of Colorado Bishop Grewell will hold a news conference today at 2:30 p.m. MT to provide an update on yesterday’s attack.
Mohamed Sabry Soliman, the suspect, has been charged with a hate crime, according to an FBI affidavit filed today. He also faces additional local charges.
Boulder DA Michael Dougherty and Acting USA CO Bishop Grewell will hold a press conference at 4:30 pm EST concerning the firebombings in Boulder yesterday.
— AAGHarmeetDhillon (@AAGDhillon) June 2, 2025
Boulder suspect ‘looked like a gardener’ — then he unleashed makeshift flamethrower
18:50
,
Oliver O'Connell
Bystanders initially believed that the man arrested over a suspected terror attack in Colorado was just a gardener, before he unleashed chaos on pro-Israel demonstrators using a “makeshift flamethrower,” officials have said.
Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, was carrying a garden sprayer filled with gasoline and had reportedly been lurking in the area for at least 20 minutes before allegedly unleashing hell in Boulder on Sunday.
Mike Bedigan reports.
What is Shavuot? The Jewish festival that started hours after Boulder, Colorado, attack
18:25
,
AP
Sunday afternoon's attack in Boulder, Colorado, took place hours before the start of a major Jewish festival, Shavuot.
Authorities say a man used a flamethrower and threw an incendiary device into a group holding one of its regular rallies in solidarity with Israeli hostages in Gaza. Eight people were injured, some with burns.
What is Shavuot?
Suspect planned for a year and specifically targeted Jewish group
18:05
,
Oliver O'Connell
Man charged in Boulder firebombing attack told police he planned for a year, researched, and specifically targeted “Zionist group”, the AP reports.
Mohamed Sabry Soliman has been charged with federal hate crimes for the attack, which left eight people injured, including a Holocaust survivor.
An FBI affidavit says Mohammed Soliman confessed to the attack after being taken into custody Sunday and told the police he would do it again.
The affidavit was released in support of a federal hate crime charge filed by the Justice Department on Monday.
The group that was targeted had gathered in a popular pedestrian park in Boulder to draw attention to the Israeli hostages who remain in Gaza.
Recap: Man yelled ‘Free Palestine’ as he threw Molotov cocktails at pro-Israel march