Colorado Firebombing Attack Planned for a Year, Says FBI

Mohammed Sabry Soliman, 45, is charged with federal hate crimes after throwing Molotov cocktails during a pro-Israel demonstration in Boulder, resulting in multiple injuries. Investigators report he prepared for the attack for a year, expressing a desire to target 'Zionists'.

A man accused of throwing incendiary devices at a pro-Israel demonstration in Boulder, Colorado, has been reported to have planned the attack for over a year, according to FBI officials. Mohammed Sabry Soliman, 45, faces charges including a federal hate crime, attempted murder, and use of an explosive device after injuring eight demonstrators during an outdoor rally held to raise awareness about Israeli hostages.

On Sunday, Soliman allegedly hurled two Molotov cocktails into the crowd while shouting "Free Palestine" and left behind at least 16 unlit incendiary devices nearby. The demonstration, organized by the group Run for Their Lives, drew attention to individuals still held hostage in Gaza.

A total of twelve individuals were hospitalized, suffering from burns and other injuries, with four of them being of advanced age, including a Holocaust survivor. The incident occurred precisely at the start of the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, raising concerns about rising antisemitism amid ongoing global tensions.

Appearing briefly in court via video feed from jail, Soliman responded affirmatively to procedural questions but remained otherwise silent. Authorities plan a formal charging session later this week. Investigators indicate that Mr. Soliman acted alone and revealed during interrogation that he had been planning the violence for a year, intending to execute it after his daughter's graduation.

Soliman’s motivations reportedly stemmed from a desire to "kill all Zionists." He was unable to obtain firearms due to his immigration status and instead resorted to creating Molotov cocktails, utilizing information garnered from online tutorials.

Additionally, he dressed as a gardener to blend in with the crowd, allegedly purchasing gasoline en route to the demonstration. The FBI found several troubling messages left by Soliman for his family on an iPhone that his wife later turned over to law enforcement.

Currently, Mr. Soliman's immigration status is under scrutiny as he arrived in the U.S. on a non-immigrant visa that expired earlier this year. After his arrest, his ties to past immigration processes were scrutinized, with calls for accountability and stricter regulations on visa holders, especially those considered security risks.

This incident adds to an alarming trend in attacks on Jewish communities in the U.S. amidst the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, which began on October 7, 2023, following a significant assault by Hamas. As violence escalates, community leaders and authorities are increasingly concerned about the safety of Jewish citizens in America.