A man accused of throwing Molotov cocktails at a demonstration in Colorado in support of Israeli hostages held in Gaza pled guilty on Thursday to murder and other charges.
The 46-year-old defendant admitted to state charges including murder, attempted murder and grievous bodily harm after the attack killed an 82-year-old woman and injured several others. He faces a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Sentencing was expected later on Thursday.
Investigators say that on June 1, 2025, the man threw two Molotov cocktails at demonstrators who wanted to draw attention to Israeli hostages who at the time were still being held by the Islamist militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Numerous people were injured in the attack. Karen Diamond, 82, later died from her injuries.
In addition to the Colorado state proceedings, separate federal proceedings against the man are under way over hate crimes. Federal prosecutors are still examining whether to seek the death penalty, according to his lawyers.
Dispute over deportation of the family
Investigators say the man, who is from Egypt, had planned the attack over an extended period and was carrying additional incendiary devices that were not used. Authorities said he was living in the United States illegally. According to media reports, the suspect told police after his arrest that he had not shared his plans with anyone.
A few days after the attack, US immigration agency ICE also took the suspect's then wife and five children into custody. Courts later repeatedly halted planned deportations of the family. After around 10 months in immigration detention, they were recently released.
In the courtroom, the 46-year-old did not comment on the allegations. Through two interpreters, he merely confirmed that he understood the charges and was pleading guilty.
