Six people were hospitalised after a man shouting “Free Palestine” allegedly lit them on fire during a pro-Israel demonstration in Boulder, Colorado, on Sunday. The FBI has identified the suspect as 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, an Egyptian national who is in the United States illegally after overstaying his visa.FBI Denver Field Office special agent Mark Michalek said Soliman used a makeshift flamethrower to target attendees of a vigil for Israeli hostages. “As a result of these preliminary facts, it is clear that this is a targeted act of violence and the FBI is investigating this as an act of terrorism,” Michalek stated.The six victims, aged between 67 and 88, sustained injuries ranging from minor to severe burns. According to journalist Collin Rugg, citing Fox News’ Bill Melugin, Soliman entered the US on August 27, 2022, through Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) during the Biden administration. “The Boulder terror suspect is an Egyptian national in the US illegally as a visa overstay who entered the US during the Biden administration,” Melugin reported.
Who is Mohamed Sabry Soliman?
Mohamed Sabry Soliman, described by authorities as the man behind Sunday’s attack, is reportedly a foreign national who overstayed his visa after arriving in the US two years ago. While the FBI confirmed his Egyptian nationality, journalist Laura Loomer has claimed that Soliman is originally an immigrant from Kuwait who entered under what she called “Joe Biden’s open border policies.”In a post on X, Loomer alleged, “Mohamad Soliman, the Muslim man who carried out the Islamic terrorist attack in Colorado today, appears to be an immigrant from Kuwait who recently arrived in the US under Joe Biden’s open border policies 2 years ago.”Loomer also said a professional profile matching Soliman’s name and appearance suggested he worked in finance, digital marketing, and international financial reporting. She further claimed he has a daughter studying in Colorado.
Attack caught on video, motive under probe
Eyewitness Brooke Coffman, 19, described the chaotic aftermath: “Everybody is yelling, ‘get water, get water,’” she said, recalling seeing four women with burns, one of them wrapped in a flag. A video from the scene shows a shirtless man—believed to be Soliman—holding spray bottles as flames burn on the ground. He is heard shouting, “End Zionists!”, “Palestine is Free!” and “They are killers!” at people trying to assist the injured.Also read: ‘Targeted terror attack’: Man attacks crowd with firebombs in Colorado, several injured The attack took place during a gathering organised by ‘Run For Their Lives’, a global initiative advocating for the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza. Soliman was taken into custody shortly after the incident. While no charges have been formally announced yet, authorities have said they intend to hold him “fully accountable.” Police evacuated multiple blocks around 13th and Pearl Streets, deploying K-9 units and advising the public to stay clear of the area. FBI Director Kash Patel said agents were on-site and more updates would be shared soon. The attack comes amid a surge in antisemitic incidents across the United States. Just last week, a man was arrested after fatally shooting two Israeli embassy staffers while shouting “Free, Free Palestine.” Colorado Governor Jared Polis condemned the violence, stating, “Hate-filled acts of any kind are unacceptable,” and said he was “closely monitoring” the situation.
