Egyptian man accused of hate crime following assault at pro-Israel gathering

Suspect Accused of Bombing Pro-Israel Demonstrators

A man, alleged to have bombed a gathering of pro-Israel supporters, has stated that he resorted to using improvised explosive devices after being unable to buy a gun. His immigration status is currently under investigation.

In an affidavit from the Boulder Police Department, the suspect, 45-year-old Mohamed Sabrie Soliman, mentioned taking a concealed carry class. However, he was ultimately unable to purchase a firearm because he is not a US citizen.

“He reported trying to buy a gun previously but turned to Molotov cocktails after being denied the purchase due to his illegal status,” said Colorado lawyer J. Bishop Grewell at a recent press conference.

With limited firearm access, individuals like Soliman have been known to seek out DIY instructions online for creating homemade explosives.

Soliman allegedly prepared 18 Molotov cocktails and drove to Boulder on June 1, where pro-Israel demonstrators were gathering to support Israeli hostages. Witnesses claim he threw these devices into the crowd.

District Attorney Michael Dougherty has indicated that there are now four additional victims connected to the incident, bringing the total to 12. Fortunately, there were no fatalities.

“We plan to continue urging victims and witnesses to come forward,” Dougherty said. “We now have 12 victims, and we will file formal charges against the suspect soon.”

Authorities reported that only two victims remain hospitalized due to injuries from the attack, which were deemed not life-threatening.

Witnesses described seeing Soliman throw what appeared to be glass bottles, and it appears he also used a commercial weed sprayer as an improvised device.

Investigators found several glass bottles in Soliman’s vehicle, along with flammable liquids and a BB gun resembling an AR-style rifle. Additionally, documents found at his residence included references to the Quran, “Israel,” “Palestine,” and “USAID.”

In an interview with authorities, Soliman expressed no regret for his actions, indicating he would act similarly again if given another chance. An iPhone and diary found at his home detailed his motives and planning for the attack.

Currently, Soliman faces multiple serious charges, including numerous counts of first-degree attempted murder. Each count carries significant penalties; if convicted, he could be looking at up to 384 years in prison.

In addition to state charges, he is also facing federal hate crime charges based on race, religion, or national origin. Grewell stated that such violence, particularly targeting specific groups, is treated with utmost seriousness under the law.