Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, charged with federal hate crime after allegedly throwing Molotov cocktails at marchers rallying for Israeli hostages in Gaza
The man accused of throwing Molotov cocktails at a group of marchers rallying in Colorado for Israeli hostages in Gaza had allegedly spent a year planning the attack and had wanted to use a firearm, but could not purchase a gun as he is not a legal citizen.
Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, used a makeshift flamethrower and an incendiary device against men and women gathered to raise awareness for the Israeli hostages who had been held captive since Hamas launched its deadly attack on October 7, 2023.
At least eight people were initially reported injured, but that number has since been updated to 12 after four others came forward with "minor" wounds.
The victims, aged from 52 to 88, were from a group called Run For Their Lives.
Speaking at a press conference, Acting US Attorney for the District of Colorado, J Biship Brewell, confirmed Soliman had been charged with a federal hate crime.
He is also facing 16 counts of attempted murder in the first degree, two counts of using an incendiary device and 16 counts of attempted use of an incendiary device.
If convicted on all charges, he will be jailed for 384 years.
"No one should ever be subjected to violence of any kind. But our laws recognise that such violence is particularly carnivorous when someone is targeted because of their race, religion or national origin," Mr Brewell told reporters on Monday (local time).
It will be alleged Soliman threw Molotov cocktails at a group of men and women as they "peacefully" walked on Sunday to draw attention to Israeli hostages in Gaza.
Police say the 45-year-old claimed during an interview he wanted the marchers "all to die", that he had "no regrets", and "would go back and do it again".
A warrant said Soliman "mentioned several times he wanted to be dead" and that he only threw two Molotov cocktails because he had "never hurt anyone before".
Police later found 16 unused Molotov cocktails.
It will also be alleged he had wanted to buy a firearm, but his plans had to be altered when he was denied purchase due to not being a legal US citizen.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, Egypt-born Soliman was in the country illegally after moving from Kuwait to Colorado in August 2022.
The accused also allegedly told police he had planned the attack for one year and that he acted "because he hated the Zionist group".
The Federal Bureau of Investigation executed a search warrant at Soliman's home.
Investigators say the family has been cooperating with their inquiries.
The suspect had been living with his wife and five children, according to an affidavit.
Soliman had "no prior contacts" with police and was not on their radar either.
There will be a high visibility of police at community events in the coming two weeks.
Two victims remain in hospital.
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