Latest news with #MohamadSabrySoliman
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
The Boulder terror investigation latest
(COLORADO SPRINGS)– Reactions continue to come in as the community learns more about what exactly happened in Boulder on Sunday afternoon, June 1. On Monday, state and federal leaders gave an update on where their case stands. DOJ: Boulder attack suspect facing federal hate crime charges The DOJ, FBI and multiple otter agencies in Boulder took time on Monday to talk about the ongoing investigation. During the press conference, authorities revealed disturbing new details about the attack, and the long list of charges the suspect is facing. 'When he was interviewed about the attack, he said he wanted them all to die. He had no regrets, and he would go back and do it again,' said J. Bishop Grewell, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado. Mohamad Sabry Soliman has been charged with a federal hate crime, as well as state charges of attempted murder. He now faces a federal sentence of life in prison. 'No one should ever be subjected to violence of any kind, but our laws recognize that such violence is particularly pernicious when someone is targeted because of their race, their religion, or their national origin,' said Grewell. Officials say Soliman planned his attack for a year, and decided to act because he hated what he called the Zionist group. 'What the charges allege that he did, was to throw Molotov cocktails at a group of men and women, some of them in their late 80s, burning them as they peacefully walked on a Sunday to draw attention to Israeli hostages held in Gaza,' said Grewell. Investigators say Soliman tried to buy a gun but couldn't because of his illegal status. So, he chose to make his own Molotov cocktails and used YouTube to learn how. Each device was made of wine bottles or ball jars, with red rags hanging out the tops, each filled with what investigators later discovered was 87-octane gasoline. 'In addition to that, it appeared he had a backpack, for like a weed killer, but that contained flammable liquid in it as well,' said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek. The Boulder Police Department was able to recover 16 unused Molotov cocktails shortly after the incident. 'So, there is no question that the first responders saved lives and prevented further victims from being injured. And I think, the facts that we have, both federal and state charges within 24 hours of this attack, is a testament to the strength of the partnerships, the professionalism of the investigators and our commitment to the community and to each other to pursue justice,' said Michalek. Soliman now faces 16 counts of attempted murder, which could carry a sentence of 384 years in prison. He also faces charges related to use and attempted use of an incendiary device for a potential additional 192. Since the investigation began, the FBI said it conducted 44 witness interviews, and at this point, they believe the suspect acted alone. 'What you see here today is us standing shoulder-to-shoulder, ensuring that justice is done in response to this tragic and terrible attack,' said Michael Dougherty, 20th Judicial District Attorney. On Monday, Soliman went before a judge, who set a $10 million cash-only bond on the state charges. Soliman will appear back in court on June 5 at 3:30 in the afternoon. Anyone with information about the attack is asked to contact the FBI Denver at 1-800-CALL-FBI. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Boulder attack: How did Mohamad Sabry Soliman learn to make firebombs? Authorities reveal stunning details
The man who attacked a pro-Israel demonstration in Boulder with incendiary devices on Sunday, injuring 12, had posed as a gardener to get close to the group. According to the local authorities, he wanted to kill them all with Molotov cocktails and showed no remorse for his actions after being arrested. The authorities said that before the attack, he had second thoughts and only threw two out of the 18 incendiary devices he had prepared. He had gas in a backpack sprayer but told investigators he didn't spray it on anyone but himself "because he had planned on dying." The police wrote in an affidavit that Mohamad Sabry Soliman, 45, told them that he had thought he wouldn't forgive himself if he didn't attack those protesting for the release of Israeli hostages. He said he planned the attack for over a year. The authorities said he had no regrets and said he would "do it again". "When he was interviewed about the attack, he said he wanted them all to die, he had no regrets, and he would go back and do it again," Acting US Attorney J. Bishop Grewell for the District of Colorado said during a press conference Monday. Soliman is being charged with hate crime and attempted murder. An FBI affidavit says Soliman was driven by a desire "to kill all Zionist people". He has been living in the US illegally since entering the country in August on a B2 visa. Those hospitalised are aged between 52 and 88. The police wrote in the affidavit that the accused dressed up like a gardener with an orange vest to get as close to the group as possible. District Attorney Michael Dougherty said 16 unused Molotov cocktails were recovered by law enforcement. The devices were made up of glass wine carafe bottles or jars with clear liquid and red rags hanging out of them, the FBI said. He told the probe agencies that he made the devices after researching on YouTube. "He stated that he had been planning the attack for a year and was waiting until after his daughter graduated to conduct the attack," the affidavit says. Solimon is a native of Egypt. He also lived in Kuwait for 17 years. His neighbours described him and his wife as kindly neighbours with three young kids and two teenagers. With inputs from AP
France 24
3 days ago
- Politics
- France 24
Suspect in Colorado flamethrower attack planned assault for over a year, FBI says
A man posing as a gardener to get close to a group in Boulder holding their weekly demonstration for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza planned to kill them all with Molotov cocktails, authorities said Monday. But he had second thoughts and only threw two out of the 18 incendiary devices he had into the group of about 20 people, yelling 'Free Palestine' and accidentally burning himself, police said. Twelve people were injured in the Sunday attack. He had gas in a backpack sprayer but told investigators he didn't spray it on anyone but himself 'because he had planned on dying.' 'He said he had to do it, he should do it, and he would not forgive himself if he did not do it,' police wrote in an affidavit. He didn't carry out his full plan 'because he got scared and had never hurt anyone before.' Mohamad Sabry Soliman, 45, planned the attack for more than a year and specifically targeted what he described as a 'Zionist group,' authorities said in court papers charging him with a federal hate crime. The suspect's first name also was spelled Mohammed in some court documents. 'When he was interviewed about the attack, he said he wanted them all to die, he had no regrets and he would go back and do it again,' Acting US Attorney J. Bishop Grewell for the District of Colorado said during a press conference Monday. Federal and state prosecutors filed separate criminal cases against Soliman, charging him with a hate crime and attempted murder, respectively. He faces additional state charges related to the incendiary devices, and more charges are possible in federal court, where the Justice Department will seek a grand jury indictment. During a state court hearing Monday, Soliman appeared briefly via a video link from the Boulder County Jail wearing an orange jumpsuit. Another court hearing is set for Thursday. Soliman is being held on a $10 million, cash-only bond, prosecutors said. An FBI affidavit says Soliman confessed to the attack after being taken into custody Sunday and told the police he was driven by a desire 'to kill all Zionist people,' a reference to the movement to establish and protect a Jewish state in Israel. Soliman's attorney, public defender Kathryn Herold, declined to comment after the hearing. Soliman was living in the U.S. illegally after entering the country in August 2022 on a B2 visa that expired in February 2023, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a post on the social platform X. The burst of violence at the popular Pearl Street pedestrian mall in downtown Boulder unfolded against the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas war that continues to inflame global tensions and has contributed to a spike in antisemitic violence in the United States. The attack happened on the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Shavuot and barely a week after a man who also yelled 'Free Palestine' was charged with fatally shooting two Israeli embassy staffers outside a Jewish museum in Washington. The victims who were wounded range in age from 52 to 88, and the injuries spanned from serious to minor, officials said. All four of the latest victims had what police described as minor injuries. Six of the injured were taken to hospitals, and four have since been released, said Miri Kornfeld, a Denver-based organizer connected to the group. She said the clothing of one of those who remains hospitalized caught on fire. The volunteer group called Run For Their Lives was concluding their weekly demonstration when video from the scene shows a witness shouting, 'He's right there. He's throwing Molotov cocktails." A police officer with his gun drawn advances on a bare-chested suspect who is holding containers in each hand. Witness Alex Osante of San Diego said he was across the pedestrian mall when he heard the crash of a bottle breaking and a 'boom' followed by people yelling and screaming. In video of the scene captured by Osante, people could be seen pouring water on a woman lying on the ground who Osante said had caught on fire during the attack. Soliman said he dressed up like gardener with an orange vest in order to get as close to the group as possible, police wrote. Osante said that after the suspect threw the two incendiary devices, apparently catching himself on fire as he threw the second, he took off his shirt and what appeared to be a bulletproof vest before the police arrived. The man dropped to the ground and was arrested without any apparent resistance in the video Osante filmed. District Attorney Michael Dougherty said 16 unused Molotov cocktails were recovered by law enforcement. The devices were made up of glass wine carafe bottles or jars with clear liquid and red rags hanging out of the them, the FBI said. Soliman told investigators he constructed the devices after doing research on YouTube and buying the ingredients. 'He stated that he had been planning the attack for a year and was waiting until after his daughter graduated to conduct the attack,' the affidavit says. Soliman also told investigators he took a concealed carry class and tried to buy a gun but was denied because he is not a legal US citizen. Authorities said they believe Soliman acted alone. He was also injured and taken to a hospital. Authorities did not elaborate on the nature of his injuries, but a booking photo showed him with a large bandage over one ear. In video and photos shot right after the attack by a woman at the gathering, Soliman can be seen pacing without his shirt on with what appears to be burns down one of his arms. He and a small group of people around him are screaming at each other, with some witnesses filming him. Soliman, who was born in Egypt, moved to Colorado Springs three years ago, where he lived with his wife and five kids, according to state court documents. He previously spent 17 years living in Kuwait. McLaughlin said Soliman filed for asylum in September 2022 and was granted a work authorization in March 2023 that had expired. DHS did not immediately respond to requests for additional information. Shameka Pruiett knew Soliman and his wife as kindly neighbors with three young kids and two teenagers who'd play with Pruiett's kids. Another neighbor, Kierra Johnson, said she could often hear shouting at night from his apartment and once called police because of the screaming and yelling. On Sunday, Pruiett saw law enforcement vehicles waiting on the street throughout the day until the evening, when they spoke through a megaphone telling anyone in Soliman's home to come out. Nobody came out and it did not appear anyone was inside, said Pruiett.
Edmonton Journal
3 days ago
- Politics
- Edmonton Journal
Suspect posed as a gardener in Boulder attack on participants of Israeli hostage event
Article content 'He said he had to do it, he should do it, and he would not forgive himself if he did not do it,' police wrote in an affidavit. He didn't carry out his full plan 'because he got scared and had never hurt anyone before.' Mohamad Sabry Soliman, 45, planned the attack for more than a year and specifically targeted what he described as a 'Zionist group,' authorities said in court papers charging him with a federal hate crime. The suspect's first name also was spelled Mohammed in some court documents. 'When he was interviewed about the attack, he said he wanted them all to die, he had no regrets and he would go back and do it again,' Acting U.S. Attorney J. Bishop Grewell for the District of Colorado said during a press conference Monday. Federal and state prosecutors filed separate criminal cases against Soliman, charging him with a hate crime and attempted murder, respectively. He faces additional state charges related to the incendiary devices, and more charges are possible in federal court, where the Justice Department will seek a grand jury indictment. During a state court hearing Monday, Soliman appeared briefly via a video link from the Boulder County Jail wearing an orange jumpsuit. Another court hearing is set for Thursday. Soliman is being held on a $10 million, cash-only bond, prosecutors said. An FBI affidavit says Soliman confessed to the attack after being taken into custody Sunday and told the police he was driven by a desire 'to kill all Zionist people,' a reference to the movement to establish and protect a Jewish state in Israel. Soliman's attorney, public defender Kathryn Herold, declined to comment after the hearing. Soliman was living in the U.S. illegally after entering the country in August 2022 on a B2 visa that expired in February 2023, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a post on the social platform X.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Suspect in Boulder attack said he planned to kill all in group he called ‘Zionist'
BOULDER, Colorado — A man posing as a gardener to get close to a group in Boulder holding their weekly demonstration for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza planned to kill them all with Molotov cocktails, authorities said Monday. But he had second thoughts and only threw two out of the 18 incendiary devices he had into the group of about 20 people, yelling 'Free Palestine' and accidentally burning himself, police said. Twelve people were injured in the Sunday attack. He had gas in a backpack sprayer but told investigators he didn't spray it on anyone but himself 'because he had planned on dying.' 'He said he had to do it, he should do it, and he would not forgive himself if he did not do it,' police wrote in an affidavit. He didn't carry out his full plan 'because he got scared and had never hurt anyone before.' Mohamad Sabry Soliman, 45, planned the attack for more than a year and specifically targeted what he described as a 'Zionist group,' authorities said in court papers charging him with a federal hate crime. The suspect's first name also was spelled Mohammed in some court documents. 'When he was interviewed about the attack, he said he wanted them all to die, he had no regrets and he would go back and do it again,' acting U.S. Attorney J. Bishop Grewell for the District of Colorado said during a press conference Monday. Federal and state prosecutors filed separate criminal cases against Soliman, charging him with a hate crime and attempted murder, respectively. He faces additional state charges related to the incendiary devices, and more charges are possible in federal court, where the Justice Department will seek a grand jury indictment. During a state court hearing Monday, Soliman appeared briefly via a video link from the Boulder County Jail wearing an orange jumpsuit. Another court hearing is set for Thursday. Soliman is being held on a $10 million, cash-only bond, prosecutors said. An FBI affidavit says Soliman confessed to the attack after being taken into custody Sunday and told the police he was driven by a desire 'to kill all Zionist people,' a reference to the movement to establish and protect a Jewish state in Israel. Soliman's attorney, public defender Kathryn Herold, declined to comment after the hearing. Soliman was living in the U.S. illegally after entering the country in August 2022 on a B2 visa that expired in February 2023, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a post on the social platform X. The burst of violence at the popular Pearl Street pedestrian mall in downtown Boulder unfolded against the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas war that continues to inflame global tensions and has contributed to a spike in antisemitic violence in the United States. The attack happened on the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Shavuot and barely a week after a man who also yelled 'Free Palestine' was charged with fatally shooting two Israeli embassy staffers outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington. The victims who were wounded range in age from 52 to 88, and the injuries spanned from serious to minor, officials said. All four of the latest victims had what police described as minor injuries. Six of the injured were taken to hospitals, and four have since been released, said Miri Kornfeld, a Denver-based organizer connected to the group. She said the clothing of one of those who remains hospitalized caught on fire. The volunteer group called Run For Their Lives was concluding their weekly demonstration when video from the scene shows a witness shouting, 'He's right there. He's throwing Molotov cocktails.' A police officer with his gun drawn advances on a bare-chested suspect who is holding containers in each hand. Witness Alex Osante of San Diego said he was across the pedestrian mall when he heard the crash of a bottle breaking and a 'boom' followed by people yelling and screaming. In video of the scene captured by Osante, people could be seen pouring water on a woman lying on the ground who Osante said had caught on fire during the attack. Soliman said he dressed up like gardener with an orange vest in order to get as close to the group as possible, police wrote. Osante said that after the suspect threw the two incendiary devices, apparently catching himself on fire as he threw the second, he took off his shirt and what appeared to be a bulletproof vest before the police arrived. The man dropped to the ground and was arrested without any apparent resistance in the video Osante filmed. District Attorney Michael Dougherty said 16 unused Molotov cocktails were recovered by law enforcement. The devices were made up of glass wine carafe bottles or jars with clear liquid and red rags hanging out of the them, the FBI said. Soliman told investigators he constructed the devices after doing research on YouTube and buying the ingredients. 'He stated that he had been planning the attack for a year and was waiting until after his daughter graduated to conduct the attack,' the affidavit says. Soliman also told investigators he took a concealed carry class and tried to buy a gun but was denied because he is not a legal U.S. citizen. Authorities said they believe Soliman acted alone. He was also injured and taken to a hospital. Authorities did not elaborate on the nature of his injuries, but a booking photo showed him with a large bandage over one ear. In video and photos shot right after the attack by a woman at the gathering, Soliman can be seen pacing without his shirt on with what appears to be burns down one of his arms. He and a small group of people around him are screaming at each other, with some witnesses filming him. Soliman, who was born in Egypt, moved to Colorado Springs three years ago, where he lived with his wife and five kids, according to state court documents. He previously spent 17 years living in Kuwait. McLaughlin said Soliman filed for asylum in September 2022 and was granted a work authorization in March 2023 that had expired. DHS did not immediately respond to requests for additional information. Shameka Pruiett knew Soliman and his wife as kindly neighbors with three young kids and two teenagers who'd play with Pruiett's kids. Another neighbor, Kierra Johnson, said she could often hear shouting at night from his apartment and once called police because of the screaming and yelling. On Sunday, Pruiett saw law enforcement vehicles waiting on the street throughout the day until the evening, when they spoke through a megaphone telling anyone in Soliman's home to come out. Nobody came out and it did not appear anyone was inside, said Pruiett.
