Victim of Colorado firebomb attack dies from injuries, prosecutors say
Karen Diamond died as a result of severe injuries she suffered in the June 1 attack in downtown Boulder, Colorado, the local district attorney's office said in a statement. Prosecutors have listed 29 victims, including 13 who were physically injured.
Mohamed Sabry Soliman already faced dozens of counts in state court on charges including attempted first-degree murder, using an incendiary device, and animal cruelty because a dog was hurt in the attack. He has not been arraigned on the initial charges that now include first-degree murder.
The Associated Press left a voicemail Monday for Soliman's public defender in the state case. The office generally bars its lawyers from commenting on their cases to the media. A preliminary hearing to determine whether there's enough evidence to move forward with the case is set for July 15.
Story continues below advertisement
Separately, Soliman has been indicted on 12 federal hate crime counts. He entered a not guilty plea to those charges during a hearing Friday in federal court.
Leaders of the Boulder Jewish Community Center announced in an email Monday that Diamond died June 25 and said she will be deeply missed.
Get daily National news
Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
'Karen was a cherished member of our community, someone whose warmth and generosity left a lasting impact on all who knew her,' executive director Jonathan Lev and board chair David Paul said.
2:07
Boulder terror attack: Suspect planned attack for a year, police allege
Gov. Jared Polis said in a statement Monday that he was devastated by Diamond's death, and that it will be felt deeply by the city of Boulder, the state and the Jewish community.
'Karen was taken from us too soon, and we mourn her loss while remembering her life and the impact she had on those who loved her,' Polis said.
Story continues below advertisement
Prosecutors said Diamond's family has asked for privacy as they grieve.
'Part of what makes Colorado special is that people come together in response to a tragedy; I know that the community will continue to unite in supporting the Diamond family and all the victims of this attack,' District Attorney Michael Dougherty said in the statement.
During the demonstration, Soliman posed as a gardener and wore a construction vest to get close to the group before launching the attack, prosecutors allege.
1:53
Who is Mohamed Soliman? Colorado attack suspect charged with federal hate crime
Investigators say Soliman told them he intended to kill the participants at the weekly demonstration. He yelled 'Free Palestine' as he threw just two of more than two dozen Molotov cocktails he had prepared.
Prosecutors say the victims were targeted because of their perceived or actual national origin. An attack motivated by someone's political views is not considered a hate crime under federal law.
Story continues below advertisement
Soliman told investigators he tried to buy a gun but was not able to because he was not a 'legal citizen.' Federal authorities have said the Egyptian national has been living in the U.S. illegally with his family.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Global News
16 minutes ago
- Global News
Calgary man charged with multiple offences, including child abduction
Airdrie RCMP have charged a Calgary man after responding to a call about a child abduction involving a 12-year-old boy. RCMP says an investigation found at least seven youths arranged a meeting with the suspect through Snapchat in a 'catch a predator' scheme. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The victim got into the suspect's car voluntarily in the Coopers Crossing neighbourhood in Airdrie so the others could record the interaction. That is when the suspect drove away. The victim was able to escape the vehicle when it stopped at a red light, then called 911. RCMP attempted a traffic stop after locating the vehicle, but the suspect fled. The suspect was later arrested at a residence in northeast Calgary with the help of the Calgary Police Service and HAWKS. A 37-year-old man is in custody facing multiple charges, including abduction of a person under 14, sexual interference, invitation to sexual touching, kidnapping and forcible confinement.
Global News
16 minutes ago
- Global News
Alleged sex acts at golf event in Ontario town under OPP probe
A charity golf event described as having the vibe of 'Ontario turned Vegas' is now central to a police investigation in Mitchell, Ont., a small town outside of Stratford. Perth County OPP have confirmed to Global News that the investigation involves 'allegations that sexual acts occurred during a golf tournament.' Police added that 'videos of this event have been circulating.' The Poppa Pie's Adventures Golf Tournament took place at the Mitchell Golf and Country Club on Aug. 2. Mitchell is about a 20-minute drive northwest of Stratford. According to 2021 data from Statistics Canada, it has a population of just over 4,800. A Facebook post on Aug. 3 from comedy hypnotist Elijah Edwards —who performed at the event, hosted by Jamie Petrie and his business, Poppa Pie's — described it as 'sold out, high-energy, and packed with some of the most incredible audience vibes I've ever seen.' Story continues below advertisement 'The audience? Electric. The vibe? Ontario turned Vegas,' the post reads, calling the event 'one for the books.' Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy In a video posted in April, Poppa Pie's Adventures is described as 'a full non-profit organization,' with money raised through apparel sales and events supporting charities. Police have not provided any further details about the allegations or how many people were involved. View full screen View full screen Previous Image Next Image Close Modal Gallery The Stratford Fighting Irish, a western Ontario Super Hockey League team, is distancing itself from Petrie, the team's former owner. Story continues below advertisement A statement issued by the Fighting Irish on Aug. 13 says, 'We want to make it absolutely clear: Mr. Petrie has had no involvement in the team since the change of ownership eight months ago.' 'We were not involved in any way, with planning, promoting, sponsoring, or participating — in the August 2, 2025, event at the Mitchell Golf & Country Club organized by Mr. Petrie and Poppa Pie's.' The team went on to say the 'lewd acts' that allegedly 'took place at that event have no place in public venues, particularly spaces where families, youth, and community members gather to enjoy sport and tradition.' Global News reached out to the Mitchell Golf and Country Club, Petrie and Edwards for comment but did not receive responses as of publication time. The Facebook page and website for Poppa Pie's appear to have been taken down. Police, meanwhile, ask anyone with information about the alleged incidents to contact them.
Vancouver Sun
16 minutes ago
- Vancouver Sun
U.S. reviewing truce deal after Hamas accepts, White House says
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Tuesday that the Trump administration was continuing to discuss a ceasefire proposal for Gaza, and confirmed that Hamas had accepted it. 'I don't think it's a coincidence that Hamas accepted this proposal after the president of the United States posted a very strong statement about this conflict on Truth Social,' Leavitt said at a press briefing at the White House. The talks coincide with IDF preparations for the seizure of Gaza City, seemingly with the support of U.S. President Donald Trump, who on Monday said that the remaining hostages would return only when Hamas is 'confronted and destroyed.' Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'The sooner this takes place, the better the chances of success will be,' Trump wrote on Truth Social. U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff in an interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News on Tuesday stressed how Trump's Truth Social post changed the terrorist group's calculations. 'Three weeks ago that proposal was on the table and they slow-played us, Hamas. And the president put out his Truth statement saying that he wasn't going to tolerate it anymore and guess what happened? There's been a major break. They've issued the announcement and they've said they want a peace deal,' Witkoff said. He continued: 'The president has been very decisive and straightforward in his Truth. He wants all the hostages back and that is the position that we have. We want all the hostages back. That conflict should end immediately. Twenty hostages should be returned to their families, a commensurate amount of Palestinian prisoners to be released as well, and just let's end that thing and bring peace and solitude to the Gazan people and rebuild Gaza as it should be rebuilt as the president has set forth.' According to Arab media, the proposal features a partial pullout of Israeli forces from some areas of the Gaza Strip, the release of 10 out of the 20 living hostages held by Hamas and the release of more than 200 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel during a 60-day ceasefire. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, addressing the nation on Monday, stated that Hamas was 'under immense pressure' as the terrorist group signalled a willingness to negotiate after previously refusing several offers. Netanyahu also visited the IDF's Gaza Division, where he expressed his 'tremendous appreciation' for the 'great achievements' of Israel's military in the Gaza war, which he termed both a 'War of Redemption' and a 'War on Seven Fronts.' The prime minister's political allies, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have vocally opposed any partial deal that does not secure the release of all hostages and a total defeat of Hamas. On Tuesday, the fathers of three soldiers who fell fighting Palestinian terrorists since Oct. 7, 2023, wrote Netanyahu an open letter in which they demanded he decline any deal that doesn't retrieve all 50 remaining hostages. 'Any pause now, for partial deals would endanger the hostages, the troops and Israel's security. Do not surrender to Hamas. It is time for a decisive victory,' wrote the fathers of Cpt. Uri Mordechai Shani and Fst. Sgts. Yishai Fitousi and Amit Buntzel. The fathers, Yehoshua, Itzik and Itzik, are members of the Gevurah Forum of bereaved parents. As of Aug. 19, 148 hostages have been returned alive to Israel—eight of them rescued through military operations. Most have been redeemed in two exchanges, held during ceasefires in 2024 and 2025, for Palestinian terrorists held in Israeli prisons. The bodies of an additional 56 captives have been repatriated to Israel. As talks on a deal continue, the Israel Defense Forces is finalizing preparations for the seizure of Gaza City, which would significantly tighten Israel's grip on the area and limit Hamas's ability to operate there. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on Tuesday approved plans for the next stage of the war presented to him by IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and senior IDF leadership, according to Israel's Channel 12 News. The campaign has been dubbed 'Operation Gideon's Chariots II,' according to the report. To fund the war, the Israeli Cabinet agreed to cut 30.8 billion shekels ($9 billion) from the budgets of various ministries in favor of the Defense Ministry. Of that sum, 1.6 billion shekels ($471 million) is earmarked for humanitarian aid for Gazans.
