Latest news with #ElPasoCounty
Sky News
3 days ago
- General
- Sky News
Colorado petrol bomb suspect charged with 16 counts of attempted murder
The suspect in the Colorado petrol bomb attack has been charged with 16 counts of attempted murder. Mohamed Soliman is accused of throwing Molotov cocktails and using a makeshift flamethrower on a group of people at a rally in support of Israeli hostages - with the FBI describing the incident as a targeted "act of terrorism". The 45-year-old, from El Paso County, Colorado, shouted "Free Palestine" during the attack, it is alleged. A total of 12 victims were injured and taken to hospitals, authorities said. One of those was at one point said to be in a critical condition. A federal criminal complaint (court filing) said Soliman confessed to the attack, told investigators that he had planned it for a year, said he " wanted to kill all Zionist people and wished they were all dead", and that "he would do it again". 1:48 At a press conference on Monday evening, 20th judicial district attorney Michael Dougherty said "Boulder is a beautiful and special place, but we're not immune from mass violence or hate crimes" as he explained the charges against Soliman. He said that the suspect faces 16 counts of attempted murder in the first-degree, with eight of those for attempted murder with intent and after deliberation, meaning he had time to consider his crimes. The other eight counts relate to attempted murder with extreme indifference, meaning he acted without regard to others' lives. Soliman is also charged with eight counts of first-degree assault, two counts of use of an incendiary device, and 16 counts of attempted use of an incendiary device. If convicted on all charges pursued by the state prosecutor, and if they run consecutively, Soliman faces a maximum sentence of 624 years in prison. Mr Dougherty added that the US attorney's office "will be prosecuting the hate crime against the defendant," which relates to the federal crime of causing bodily injury because of actual or perceived race, colour, religion, or national origin. After the press conference, Soliman made his first appearance in court, appearing via web link from Boulder County Jail. During the brief hearing, Judge Nancy Salomone asked the suspect if received the protection order issued by the court preventing him from contacting the victims, to which he said "yes". She then said she will see legal representatives on Thursday for the filing of the charges.
Sky News
3 days ago
- General
- Sky News
Colorado: Man charged with murder after petrol bomb and 'flamethrower' attack at rally for Israeli hostages
A man has been charged with two counts of murder after people at a US rally in support of Israeli hostages were targeted with petrol bombs and a makeshift flamethrower. Despite the charges, authorities are yet to confirm if anyone has died as a result of the attack - and there has been no update on the condition of injured victims. Four women and four men aged between 52 and 88 were injured and taken to hospitals after being targeted by a man shouting "Free Palestine" in Boulder, Colorado, police said. The force said the injuries ranged from "very serious" to "more minor" and one of them was in a critical condition. The FBI says it was a targeted "act of terrorism" and named the suspect as 45-year-old Mohamed Soliman from El Paso County, Colorado. He was arrested at the scene and charged with two counts of 1st degree murder and two counts of 1st degree assault.
Sky News
3 days ago
- General
- Sky News
Eight injured in petrol bomb and 'flamethrower' attack at rally for Hamas-held hostages in Colorado
Why you can trust Sky News Eight people have been injured at a US rally for Israeli hostages after they were attacked by a man with a makeshift flamethrower and petrol bombs. A group of people in Boulder, Colorado, were holding a regular demonstration to raise awareness of Hamas-held hostages in Gaza when they were allegedly targeted by a man who shouted "Free Palestine" on Sunday. The suspect was arrested at the scene. Four women and four men aged between 52 and 88 were injured and transported to hospitals, Boulder police said. Some of them were airlifted to hospital. Authorities had earlier put the count of the injured at six and said at least one of them was in a critical condition. The FBI says the attack was a targeted "act of terrorism" and named the suspect as 45-year-old Mohamed Soliman from El Paso County, Colorado. He was also taken to hospital after the alleged attack. Two senior law enforcement officials told Sky News' US partner network that Soliman is an Egyptian national who seemingly acted alone. They said he has no previous significant contact with law enforcement. The White House described the suspect as an "illegal alien" who had received a work permit under the Biden administration despite overstaying a tourist visa. A large part of downtown Boulder was cordoned off as sniffer dogs and the bomb squad searched for potential devices. However, police currently believe no one else was involved Police chief Steve Redfearn said the attack happened around 1.26pm on Sunday and that initial reports were that "people were being set on fire". He said injuries ranged from "very serious" to "more minor". "When we arrived we encountered multiple victims that were injured, with injuries consistent with burns," Mr Redfearn told the media. The police chief also said he did not believe anyone else was involved. "We're fairly confident we have the lone suspect in custody," he said. Boulder's police chief said the attack happened as a "group of pro- Israel people" were peacefully demonstrating. The walk is held regularly by a volunteer group called Run For Their Lives, which aims to raise awareness of the hostages who remain in Gaza. Video from the scene showed a bare-chested man shouting and clutching two bottles after the attack. Other footage showed him being held down and arrested by police as people doused one of the victims with water. Nearby there appears to be a large black burn mark on the ground. Brooke Coffman, a 19-year-old student, described seeing four women on the ground with burns on their legs. She said one appeared badly burned on most of her body and had been wrapped in a flag. She described seeing a man whom she presumed to be the attacker standing in the courtyard shirtless, holding a glass bottle of clear liquid and shouting. "Everybody is yelling, 'get water, get water,'" Ms Coffman said. Lady on fire 'from head to toe' Another eyewitness, who did not give his name, said he saw the suspect throw Molotov cocktails - an improvised bomb made from a bottle filled with petrol and stuffed with a piece of cloth to use as a fuse. He said: "It was very strange to just hear a crash on the ground of a bottle breaking and then it sounded like a boom and then people started yelling and screaming. "But I saw fire, I saw people screaming and crying and tripping and I saw the attacker - he had three Molotov cocktails. "One of them he threw inside a group and one lady lit on fire from head to toe and then the other four people were also injured in the fire, but not as bad as the first one." The eyewitness continued: "The attacker came out from the bushes and the trees... he threw another cocktail, and on the second one he lit himself on fire - I imagine accidentally. "He seemed to have a bullet proof vest on, or some kind of vest, and then a shirt underneath it. "And after he lit himself on fire he took off the vest and the shirt and he was shirtless. "But he still had his Molotov cocktails in his hands ready to use them... ready to throw them and explode them on people." Lynn Segal, another eyewitness, said: "These shoots of fire, linear, about 20 feet long, spears of fire, two of them at least, came across right into the group, about 15 feet from me." The 72-year-old said two neighbours of hers, a husband and wife in their 80s, were at the demonstration. She added that the wife was one of the victims and appeared to be the most seriously injured. "They're both elders in their 80s, and you can't take something like this assault to your body as easily as someone younger." Ms Segal, who was wearing a "Free Palestine" T-shirt, said she watches the demonstrations to "try and listen" to what the volunteers are "talking about" because she is concerned about the hostages. She added that she is concerned the attack will "divide this community". Another eyewitness told MSNBC that he saw the suspect "lighting people on fire while spraying gasoline on them". Brian, who is himself Jewish and asked that his last name not be made public, added that he saw victims "having their skin melt off their bodies". A statement from Boulder's Jewish community said "an incendiary device was thrown at walkers at the Run for Their Lives walk on Pearl Street as they were raising awareness for the hostages still held in Gaza". Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later said in a statement this morning: "This attack was aimed against peaceful people who wished to express their solidarity with the hostages held by Hamas, simply because they were Jews. "I trust the United States authorities to prosecute the cold blood perpetrator to the fullest extent of the law and do everything possible to prevent future attacks against innocent civilians. "The antisemitic attacks around the world are a direct result of blood libels against the Jewish state and people, and this must be stopped." US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a prominent Jewish Democrat , said it was an antisemitic attack. "This is horrifying, and this cannot continue. We must stand up to antisemitism," he said on X. Boulder is a university city of about 105,000 people on the northwest edge of Denver, in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The attack follows the arrest of a Chicago-born man in the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy employees in Washington DC two weeks ago. Tensions are simmering in the US over Israel's war in Gaza. There has been an increase in antisemitic hate crime, as well as moves by some supporters of Israel to brand pro-Palestinian protests as antisemitic. President Trump's administration has detained protesters without charge and pulled funding from elite universities that have permitted such demonstrations.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
New locations announced for potential measles exposures, brings DIA exposure to 6
DENVER (KDVR) — Public health officials say there are additional locations now known to be potential measles exposure locations, and also that a recent international traveler at Denver International Airport led to three more measles cases. On Sunday, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and El Paso County Public Health announced that two unvaccinated, adult El Paso County residents had confirmed measles cases. Both adults, who are unrelated, were at DIA around the same time on Wednesday, May 14, and both are recovering at home. Measles is very contagious. Here's how to avoid it The health officials reported on Thursday that another Colorado passenger on Turkish Airlines flight 201 that arrived in Denver on May 13 has been confirmed to be positive for measles. The vaccinated adult, who is from Arapahoe County, is recovering at home. CDPHE said that this brings the total number of measles cases associated with an out-of-state traveler who flew while infectious to six. There were four people on the flight who were infected, including three Colorado residents, and two El Paso County residents who were at the airport. Here's where health officials say that individuals may have been exposed to measles. Anyone who was there should monitor for symptoms for 21 days after exposure, and avoid public gatherings or high-risk settings. Location Date/time When symptoms may develop Love's Travel Stop/Carls Jr.748 22 RoadGrand Junction, CO 81505 Tuesday, May 276 – 10 p.m. Through June 17 Maverick Gas Station2588 Airport Rd. Colorado Springs, CO 80910 Wednesday, May 289 – 11:30 a.m. Through June 18 King Soopers 1750 W. Uintah St. Colorado Springs, CO 80904 Saturday, May 318:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. Through June 21 The measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, when given within 72 hours of exposure, can prevent infection. It's also the best way to protect yourself, according to health officials. Anyone who was at the locations is asked to immediately contact their health care provider by phone, or call an urgent care or emergency department, where you should explain you've likely been exposed. Calling ahead prevents additional exposures. Measles is a highly contagious disease. Colorado health officials said that measles can spread through the air via coughs and sneezes, and can remain in the air up to two hours after the person has left. The officials said that the measles, mumps and rubella vaccines provide strong protection and is the best protection. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
4 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Two more Colorado measles infections connected to out-of-state traveler
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said two more cases of measles have been confirmed in connection with an out-of-state traveler who went through Denver International Airport in May. Officials said the latest cases are two unvaccinated adults who reside in El Paso County. Officials said the adults are not related to each other, but were both at the airport around the same time on May 14. There have now been six confirmed cases of measles associated with the out-of-state traveler, who arrived in Denver on May 13 on Turkish Airlines flight 201. Those include that traveler, three Colorado residents on that flight, and now two El Paso County residents who were at the airport during the exposure period. Authorities said the two from El Paso County were at these locations while infectious, and anyone who was there during the following dates and times may have been exposed: Location Address Date/Time When symptoms may develop Love's Travel Stop/Carl's Jr. 748 22 Road Grand Junction, CO Tuesday, May 27 6 – 10 p.m. Through June 17 Maverick Gas Station 2588 Airport Rd. Colorado Springs, CO Wednesday, May 28 9 – 11:30 a.m. Through June 18 King Soopers 1750 W. Uintah St. Colorado Springs, CO Saturday, May 31 8:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. Through June 21 CDPHE advised anyone who was at these locations to monitor for symptoms, which usually develop between seven to 21 days after exposure. Anyone showing symptoms is encouraged to immediately contact their health care provider or call an urgent care center or emergency department. They said to be sure to call ahead so that the medical professionals can prevent additional exposures. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a rash on your face that then spreads. To date, there have been nine confirmed measles cases in the state. According to CDPHE, measles is rare in Colorado. There were zero cases in the state in 2024.
