An attack in Colorado took place on Sunday where an individual threw two incendiary devices into a crowd attending a memorial for Israeli hostages. Briefly, before the devices were thrown, the man was reportedly heard shouting “Free Palestine”.
The suspect was later identified as 45-year-old Mohamed Soliman and was charged with attempted murder, assault and use of an explosive device, as well as a federal hate crime.
Several people were injured during the altercation with some being hospitalised. The attack was carried out in an area in downtown Boulder at the Pearl Street pedestrian mall where a peaceful demonstration had been organised by the Jewish Community in America. The Organization, Run for Their Lives was directed towards raising awareness about the Israeli hostages that are still being held in Gaza.
The perpetrator had reportedly tossed a makeshift flamethrower into the throng of people, followed by Molotov cocktails, burning multiple victims. According to the police, four men and four women between the ages had been injured with one reported to be in critical condition.
An Egyptian national, Soliman initially moved to California on a non-immigrant visa, according to the Department of Homeland Security, and upon its expiration, had applied for asylum. Soliman recently moved to Colorado Springs with his wife and children.
The perpetrator had allegedly dressed to resemble a gardener to approach the group at a close proximity before throwing the first device. Catching himself on fire during the process of throwing the second device, Soliman had removed his shirt and a seemingly bulletproof vest and was arrested upon the arrival of the police, with no resistance.
According to witness reports, the fire left victims on the ground with onlookers rushing to help extinguish the flames. Law enforcement and K-9 units evacuated multiple blocks surrounding the attack site and conducted investigations in the vicinity. District Attorney Michael Dougherty reported that law enforcement teams recovered 16 unused cans.
Upon being questioned, Soliman had confessed to the investigators that the attack had been planned for a year and that, having failed to purchase a gun due to him not being a legal citizen, the weapons were constructed after conducting research on YouTube and purchasing necessary ingredients.
FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino commented on the incident, referring to it as a terror attack, with U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi releasing a statement stating that the perpetrator would be held “accountable to the fullest extent of the law”, also referring to the shooting of two Jewish Americans outside the capital museum on May 21.
