On June 1, 2025, a peaceful demonstration in Boulder, Colorado, turned violent when Mohamed Sabry Soliman, a 45-year-old Egyptian national, allegedly attacked participants with Molotov cocktails and a makeshift flamethrower. The event, organized by “Run for Their Lives,” aimed to raise awareness for Israeli hostages held by Hamas. Twelve individuals were injured, including an 88-year-old Holocaust survivor.
According to court documents, Soliman had been planning the attack for over a year, delaying execution until after his daughter’s high school graduation. He initially attempted to purchase a handgun in November 2024 but was denied due to his immigration status. Subsequently, he resorted to constructing incendiary devices, including 18 Molotov cocktails, of which he used two during the attack.
Soliman entered the U.S. on a B-2 tourist visa in August 2022, which expired in February 2023. He applied for asylum in September 2022 and was granted work authorization in March 2023, which expired in March 2025. At the time of the attack, he was residing in Colorado Springs with his wife and five children.
Following the incident, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained Soliman’s family, placing them in expedited removal proceedings. Authorities are investigating whether any family members had prior knowledge of the planned attack.
Soliman faces multiple charges, including 16 counts of first-degree attempted murder and federal hate crime charges. He is currently held on a $10 million bond and could face up to 624 years in prison if convicted on all counts.
