A man armed with a “makeshift flamethrower” and an incendiary device allegedly burned eight people Sunday in Denver, during a march supporting Israeli hostages held in Gaza.
The attack reportedly took place at 1:26 p.m. on Boulder’s Pearl Street Mall during a weekly event organized by the city’s chapter of Run for Their Lives, which advocates for releasing hostages.
Police said eight victims, ranging in age from 52 to 88, were hospitalized with burns. A security source told ABC News on Monday that six of the victims have been released from the hospital. Two remain in critical condition but are expected to survive.
Mark Michalek, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Denver field office, described the incident as a “targeted act of violence” and said it is being investigated as terrorism, echoing an earlier statement by FBI Director Kash Patel.
The Denver Post reports that police arrested Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, of El Paso County, after bystanders identified him near the Boulder County Courthouse, Michalek said.
Soliman is accused of attacking the crowd outside the courthouse, Michalek said. During the assault, Soliman allegedly screamed “Free Palestine.”
ABC News reports McLaughlin said that Soliman’s B2 visa, generally used for tourism, expired in February 2023., Soliman reportedly received a work permit after his visa expired, but the permit expired on March 28.
“A terror attack was committed in Boulder, Colorado by an illegal alien,” White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller posted on X. “He was granted a tourist visa by the Biden Administration and then he illegally overstayed that visa. In response, the Biden Administration gave him a work permit. Suicidal migration must be fully reversed.”
Soliman is in custody on a $10 million bond, according to the Boulder County Jail, which lists several felony charges against him, including:
- First degree assault
- First degree assault (non weapon)
- Crimes against at risk adult/elderly > 70 – serious injury
- Murder in the first degree (extreme indifference)
- Murder in the first degree (deliberation with intent)
- Murder in the first degree (extreme indifference)
- Criminal attempt to commit (class one felony)
- Criminal attempt to commit (class two felony)
- Explosives or incendiary devices use during felony
Soliman is set to appear in court Monday afternoon. Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo: Law enforcement officials investigate after an attack on the Pearl Street Mall, Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)]
