Mohamed Sabry Soliman, a 45-year-old Egyptian national, has been identified by the FBI as the suspect in a firebomb attack at a pro-Israel rally in Boulder, Colorado. The incident took place near the Pearl Street Mall where members of a volunteer group called "Run For Their Lives" had assembled to bring attention to Israeli hostages held in Gaza. Authorities reported that at least six people were injured after Soliman allegedly threw Molotov cocktails and used a homemade flamethrower while shouting “Free Palestine” and making anti-Zionist remarks.
According to sources cited by Fox News, Soliman entered the United States through Los Angeles International Airport on August 27, 2022, on a non-immigrant visa. Though his visa expired on February 2, 2023, he reportedly never left the country. He later applied for immigration relief and received work authorization in March 2023, which expired in March 2025.
Soliman was taken into custody without incident and was transported to a hospital for minor injuries. While Boulder police have not yet publicly confirmed the motive, the FBI has labeled the assault a “targeted terror attack.” FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino noted the act was being investigated as ideologically motivated violence. The Department of Justice condemned the event as part of a disturbing rise in antisemitic acts across the United States.
The Pearl Street Mall attack echoes recent violent episodes connected to Middle East tensions, including a fatal shooting of Israeli embassy personnel in Washington, D.C., just days earlier. Authorities are drawing connections between such events and broader ideological extremism spurred by the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
Public figures and political commentators have weighed in, with conservative activist Laura Loomer posting on X that Soliman should be deported immediately, calling for mass deportations and accusing media outlets of mislabeling him as a “Colorado man.” Colorado Governor Jared Polis responded swiftly, stating he was closely monitoring the situation and reiterating that hate-fueled violence has no place in Colorado. As investigations continue, federal and local law enforcement are urging calm while pledging to bring those responsible for ideological violence to justice.
