Mohamed Sabry Soliman, the suspect in a Boulder attack that injured a dozen individuals, has been charged with multiple offenses, while immigration authorities detain his wife and children to investigate their potential involvement or knowledge of the crime.
Boulder Attack Suspect's Family Detained Amid Investigation
Boulder Attack Suspect's Family Detained Amid Investigation
Immigration officials have arrested the family members of the suspect involved in a recent violent attack at a Boulder, Colorado, rally, as questions arise about their potential knowledge of his planned act.
Immigration authorities have detained the family of Mohamed Sabry Soliman, the man accused of instigating a violent attack during a rally in Boulder, Colorado, that left multiple people injured. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the arrests on Tuesday, as law enforcement agencies continue to probe the incident, which included the use of incendiary devices aimed at demonstrators advocating for the release of Israeli hostages.
Soliman, 45, faces charges of attempted murder, assault, and possession of an incendiary device, alongside a federal hate crime charge. During the attack, he reportedly shouted "Free Palestine" while launching two petrol bombs into the crowd. As investigations proceed, authorities are concerned about whether Soliman's family was aware of or had supported his actions leading up to the incident.
In a social media post, Secretary Noem shared a video detailing the custody of Soliman's wife and five children, but she did not specify any plans concerning their deportation or legal status. Reports indicate that one of Soliman’s daughters had recently graduated high school, prompting questions regarding the family's immediate future.
According to police accounts, Soliman confessed to orchestrating the attack, which he had allegedly been planning for a year. He entered the U.S. on a tourist visa in August 2022, which had expired the following year, and subsequently applied for asylum in September 2022. Soliman claims he kept his plans hidden from his family and left behind a phone containing messages for them, which his wife later submitted to the authorities.
Witnesses reported that as many as twelve individuals were hospitalized due to the attack, with injuries ranging from minor to serious. The oldest victim, Rabbi Israel Wilhelm, a Holocaust survivor, was among those present during the disruption.
Soliman made a brief court appearance via a video link just two days after the incident, remaining largely silent except for confirming procedural questions from the judge. He is scheduled to return to court for a formal charge filing and bail hearing later this week.
As community and legal entities grapple with the aftermath of this assault, questions loom over the motive and potential premeditation involved, alongside any involvement from those closely associated with Soliman.
