The city of Boulder, Colorado, came together on Wednesday evening for a vigil after a shocking firebomb attack injured 12 people during a peaceful demonstration. The incident took place on Sunday at the Pearl Street pedestrian mall, where a group was protesting to support the release of Israeli hostages. The group, called Run For Their Lives, meets regularly for such events.
According to police, the attacker, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, threw two Molotov cocktails at the protestors while yelling “Free Palestine.” Authorities said he had made 18 firebombs but used only two. He reportedly planned to kill everyone present but stopped because he became frightened. Soliman was injured while throwing the second device and is now being held in jail with a $10 million bond.
Twelve people were injured in the attack. The victims range in age from 52 to 88 years old. Six of them were taken to the hospital, and three were still receiving care on Tuesday at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital. One of the victims is a Holocaust survivor who fled Europe as a child. Her family asked for privacy as she recovers.
Soliman is an Egyptian national who entered the United States in August 2022 using a tourist visa. He applied for asylum in September 2022 and later received a work permit, which has since expired. Authorities confirmed that he was living in the U.S. illegally. Before moving to Colorado Springs, he had spent 17 years in Kuwait with his family.
On Tuesday, immigration officers arrested Soliman’s wife and five children. The White House stated that they may be deported soon. Experts say this kind of family detention is very rare unless the case involves serious national security concerns.
In court documents, Soliman told authorities that he had been planning the attack for about a year and waited until his daughter graduated before acting. Officials say he showed no remorse and admitted that he wanted to kill people who support Israel. Police also said that he acted alone and that no other suspects are being investigated at this time.
The attack happened during the Jewish holiday of Shavuot and came just days after another violent incident in Washington, D.C., where a man shot and killed two Israeli embassy staff outside a Jewish museum. Both attackers shouted the same phrase, linking the incidents to ongoing global tensions over the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The Boulder vigil took place at the local Jewish Community Center. Residents of all backgrounds came together to support the victims and promote peace. The city’s leaders urged unity and calm, asking everyone to reject violence and hate.
Soliman now faces multiple charges, including federal hate crimes and state-level attempted murder. More charges could be added as the investigation continues. His lawyer has not given any public statements.
This case has brought attention to the issue of visa overstays in the United States. Government reports show that hundreds of thousands of people stay in the country after their visas expire each year. Soliman’s case has raised questions about how closely immigration cases are followed and how they relate to public safety.
Boulder residents are now focusing on recovery and community strength. Many say that moments like this are a reminder of the need to protect peaceful gatherings and support those affected by hate. The police and federal agencies continue to investigate the full details behind the attack.
