Latest news with #Molotov
USA Today
an hour ago
- Politics
- USA Today
Suspect in Boulder firebomb attack waives court hearing, faces murder charge
The man charged in the June 1 firebomb attack on a demonstration in Boulder, Colorado, in support of Israeli hostages in Gaza waived his right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday as he appeared in state court. Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, faces dozens of charges that include murder and attempted murder. He is accused of targeting the group at a pedestrian mall, attacking them with Molotov cocktails and a makeshift flamethrower, according to a criminal complaint. He faces over 180 charges from the state of Colorado, increased from an initial 118 charges after the later death of one of the injured victims and identification of more victims. He also faces a federal hate crime charge. Wearing a striped orange-and-white jumpsuit, Soliman agreed to his defense lawyer's request for the waiver, which means the court will find probable cause for all the state charges. Public defender Kathryn Herold also indicated she would pursue a continuance at Soliman's arraignment, now set for Sept. 9. Prosecutors say 13 people were injured in the attack at a Boulder street mall. Karen Diamond, 82, died of her injuries on June 25, officials have said. The charges include two counts of first-degree murder, 52 counts of attempted murder, 10 counts of assault, 18 counts of attempted assault, two counts of using an incendiary device, 16 counts of attempted use of an incendiary device and one count of animal cruelty (prosecutors said a dog was injured in the attack). The most serious charge, first-degree murder, carries a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Soliman could also face a life sentence if he's convicted of the federal hate crime charge. USA TODAY has reached out to Soliman's defense attorney. Soliman is an Egyptian native who authorities said overstayed a tourist visa to the United States. In the wake of the attack, Trump administration officials detained and threatened to deport his wife and children. What happened in the Boulder firebomb attack? The attack happened the afternoon of June 1 at the Pearl Street Mall in downtown Boulder, authorities said. The group Run for Their Lives was holding a weekly demonstration advocating for the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza since the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas militants. Soliman threw two lit Molotov cocktails into the crowd while yelling, "Free Palestine," according to a federal criminal complaint. A Boulder police officer wrote in an arrest warrant that Soliman admitted to planning the attack for over a year and was waiting for his oldest daughter to graduate from high school, which she had days prior. Witnesses said he threw two Molotov cocktails and used a blow torch to set people on fire. Authorities said in the federal complaint that Soliman admitted to investigators that "he wanted to kill all Zionist people" and wanted to stop them from taking over "our land," referring to Palestine. Jewish woman died from injuries weeks after attack Diamond, a mother and grandmother, was among the group of demonstrators targeted in the attack, authorities said. She initially survived the assault but died more than three weeks later and was privately buried, according to authorities and members of her synagogue, Boulder's Bonai Shalom. "This horrific attack has now claimed the life of an innocent person who was beloved by her family and friends," Boulder District Attorney Michael Dougherty said. After Diamond's death, prosecutors amended two of the charges against Soliman from attempted murder to first-degree murder. One of the counts alleges murder under an extreme indifference theory and the other murder with intent and after deliberation, prosecutors said. Contributing: Trevor Hughes
Cedar News
3 hours ago
- Cedar News
Video shows suspect throwing Molotov cocktails at Dickinson County in Iron Mountain, Michigan
Video shows suspect throwing Molotov cocktails at Dickinson County Republican Committee headquarters in Iron Mountain, Michigan Saturday. Video:
Toronto Star
18 hours ago
- Toronto Star
Colorado prosecutors to lay out evidence in firebomb attack on demonstration for Israeli hostages
DENVER (AP) — Colorado prosecutors are set to lay out their evidence Tuesday against a man charged with murder, attempted murder and other crimes in a firebomb attack on demonstrators showing their support for Israeli hostages in Gaza. Investigators say Mohamed Sabry Soliman told them he intended to kill the roughly 20 participants at the weekly demonstration on Boulder's Pearl Street pedestrian mall on June 1. But he threw just two of more than two dozen Molotov cocktails he had with him while yelling, 'Free Palestine!' Police said he told them he got scared because he had never hurt anyone before.
Hamilton Spectator
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Colorado prosecutors to lay out evidence in firebomb attack on demonstration for Israeli hostages
DENVER (AP) — Colorado prosecutors are set to lay out their evidence Tuesday against a man charged with murder, attempted murder and other crimes in a firebomb attack on demonstrators showing their support for Israeli hostages in Gaza. Investigators say Mohamed Sabry Soliman told them he intended to kill the roughly 20 participants at the weekly demonstration on Boulder's Pearl Street pedestrian mall on June 1. But he threw just two of more than two dozen Molotov cocktails he had with him while yelling, 'Free Palestine!' Police said he told them he got scared because he had never hurt anyone before. Federal authorities say Soliman, an Egyptian national, had been living in the U.S. illegally with his family. The purpose of Tuesday's preliminary hearing in state court in Boulder is for District Judge Nancy Woodruff Salomone to determine if there's enough evidence for Soliman to go on trial there. Soliman already faced dozens of charges in state court as well as hate crime charges in federal court when state prosecutors added murder charges following the death of an 82-year-old woman who was injured in the attack died as the result of her injuries. Karen Diamond helped at her synagogue and volunteered for several local groups, including the University of Colorado University Women's Club and a local music festival. Last week, Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Cramer-Babycz told U.S. District Judge John L. Kane that federal prosecutors have not decided yet whether to file additional charges against Soliman related to Diamond's death. Federal prosecutors allege the victims were targeted because of their perceived or actual connection to Israel. But Soliman's federal defense lawyers say he should not have been charged with hate crimes because the evidence shows he was motivated by opposition to Zionism, the political movement to establish and sustain a Jewish state in Israel. An attack motivated by someone's political views is not considered a hate crime under federal law. Soliman has pleaded not guilty to the hate crime charges. He has not been asked to enter a plea to the state charges yet. State prosecutors have identified 29 people who are considered victims of the attack, including 13 who were physically injured. The others were nearby and are considered victims because they could have been hurt. A dog was also injured in the attack, so Soliman has also been charged with animal cruelty. Tuesday's hearing was set to move ahead over the objections of Soliman's state public defenders, who asked to delay it after Diamond died and Soliman was charged with murder. In a court filing last week, they said they were not aware of an autopsy report being done for Diamond yet and asked to delay the hearing until October so they would be be able to review 'significant medical records' in advance. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Winnipeg Free Press
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Colorado prosecutors to lay out evidence in firebomb attack on demonstration for Israeli hostages
DENVER (AP) — Colorado prosecutors are set to lay out their evidence Tuesday against a man charged with murder, attempted murder and other crimes in a firebomb attack on demonstrators showing their support for Israeli hostages in Gaza. Investigators say Mohamed Sabry Soliman told them he intended to kill the roughly 20 participants at the weekly demonstration on Boulder's Pearl Street pedestrian mall on June 1. But he threw just two of more than two dozen Molotov cocktails he had with him while yelling, 'Free Palestine!' Police said he told them he got scared because he had never hurt anyone before. Federal authorities say Soliman, an Egyptian national, had been living in the U.S. illegally with his family. The purpose of Tuesday's preliminary hearing in state court in Boulder is for District Judge Nancy Woodruff Salomone to determine if there's enough evidence for Soliman to go on trial there. Soliman already faced dozens of charges in state court as well as hate crime charges in federal court when state prosecutors added murder charges following the death of an 82-year-old woman who was injured in the attack died as the result of her injuries. Karen Diamond helped at her synagogue and volunteered for several local groups, including the University of Colorado University Women's Club and a local music festival. Last week, Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Cramer-Babycz told U.S. District Judge John L. Kane that federal prosecutors have not decided yet whether to file additional charges against Soliman related to Diamond's death. Federal prosecutors allege the victims were targeted because of their perceived or actual connection to Israel. But Soliman's federal defense lawyers say he should not have been charged with hate crimes because the evidence shows he was motivated by opposition to Zionism, the political movement to establish and sustain a Jewish state in Israel. An attack motivated by someone's political views is not considered a hate crime under federal law. Soliman has pleaded not guilty to the hate crime charges. He has not been asked to enter a plea to the state charges yet. State prosecutors have identified 29 people who are considered victims of the attack, including 13 who were physically injured. The others were nearby and are considered victims because they could have been hurt. A dog was also injured in the attack, so Soliman has also been charged with animal cruelty. Tuesday's hearing was set to move ahead over the objections of Soliman's state public defenders, who asked to delay it after Diamond died and Soliman was charged with murder. In a court filing last week, they said they were not aware of an autopsy report being done for Diamond yet and asked to delay the hearing until October so they would be be able to review 'significant medical records' in advance.
