The individual suspected of orchestrating anti-Semitic terrorist attacks in Colorado on Sunday reportedly had intentions to carry out a mass shooting but was unable to acquire a firearm due to his visa situation.
Mohamed Sabri Soliman, 45, acknowledged his initial plan was to target victims with gunfire first.
According to Boulder District Attorney Michael Dougherty, Egyptian nationals are restricted from acquiring weapons if their U.S. visa has expired.
Dougherty announced that Soliman is facing 16 murder charges related to attacks on 12 individuals.
In addition, Soliman could face a lengthy prison sentence of 48 years for deploying two Molotov cocktails. He is also being charged with “attempts of use” for 16 unused explosive devices found near the site of his arrest. On top of this, he faces a federal hate crime charge.
Mark Mikalek, a special FBI agent in Denver, stated that it appears Soliman acted alone in the assault, although investigations are ongoing and all leads are being followed up.
“If we find evidence that others knew about or supported this attack, rest assured we will pursue accountability to the fullest extent of the law,” Mikalek remarked.
Court documents reveal that Soliman approached a local pro-Israel walking group that has been organized weekly since the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack, which aimed to show solidarity for Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
He allegedly expressed a desire to “kill all the Zionist people,” and indicated a wish for their complete demise. Soliman detailed to investigators that he had learned about the walking group’s routes through Facebook and planned an ambush on Boulder’s busy Pearl Street.
During this violent incident, he reportedly constructed a makeshift flamethrower, employing two Molotov cocktails combined with a garden hose filled with gasoline.
His arrest warrant disclosed that he believed he would perish in the attack and had expressed to detectives that he hoped to die several times during the plan.
A father of five from Colorado Springs, Soliman had left a note for his family, concealed in a desk drawer, prior to the incident.
