For a full year, Mohamed Sabry Soliman quietly planned an attack fueled by deep anger toward Israel and intense hatred of Zionists, according to statements he later made to federal authorities. The 45-year-old Egyptian national meticulously prepared what would become a violent assault in downtown Boulder, Colorado — an attack that shook a peaceful demonstration supporting hostages held in Gaza.
The Day of the Attack: A Chilling Scene
On that Sunday, Soliman left behind a chilling sign of what was to come: an iPhone loaded with heartfelt messages to his wife and five children, stashed safely at home. Then, he drove to the heart of Boulder carrying a homemade flamethrower and a collection of Molotov cocktails. As demonstrators rallied in support of hostages from Gaza during a peaceful Jewish event, Soliman struck with violent intent.
The attack left 12 people injured. Witnesses reported Soliman shouting “Free Palestine!” as he unleashed his assault. Later, during interrogation, he told authorities, “I wanted to kill all Zionist people and wished they were all dead,” a federal affidavit revealed.
The Long Wait: Why He Didn’t Act Sooner
Strikingly, Soliman admitted that only one thing stopped him from acting sooner — his daughter’s high school graduation. He said he wanted to wait for this milestone before carrying out his violent plan.
A local Colorado Springs Gazette article published earlier this year offered a glimpse into the daughter’s story. She was profiled as a scholarship recipient, describing how her family had immigrated to the U.S. after years spent in Kuwait. In her application, she wrote movingly about her father’s difficult leg surgery, which she described as “nothing short of magic,” a procedure that restored his ability to walk after years of struggle.
The daughter explained that this medical ordeal inspired her to pursue a career in medicine — a dream she felt was impossible in Kuwait as a non-citizen but attainable in America.
“Coming to the USA has fundamentally changed me,” she wrote. “Most importantly, I came to appreciate that family is the unchanging support.”
From Egypt to Kuwait to Colorado: A Complex Journey
Mohamed Sabry Soliman was born in Egypt and lived in Kuwait for 17 years before moving to Colorado, according to official state arrest documents. CNN also found a Facebook account that appears to be his, showing a glimpse of his past. The profile — last updated nearly a decade ago — noted that he attended high school and college in Egypt and later worked in accounting in Kuwait.
The Facebook page also revealed political leanings, featuring images of Mohamed Morsi, the Muslim Brotherhood leader who served briefly as Egypt’s president before being ousted in a 2013 military coup. Several posts expressed support for the Muslim Brotherhood protests and featured the Rabaa al-Adawiya Square four-finger salute — a symbol connected to protests violently suppressed by Egyptian security forces.
Life in Colorado: Work, Family, and Struggles
After moving to Colorado in 2022, Soliman lived with his wife and five children in a two-story house on the eastern edge of Colorado Springs. For a brief period, he worked as an accountant at Veros Health, starting in May 2023 but leaving after only three months. The company declined to comment on his departure.
He also worked as an Uber driver. Uber confirmed that Soliman passed their mandatory background checks and had his driver’s account banned only after the attack.
Neighbors described Soliman’s family as somewhat private. One neighbor mentioned seeing the children play outside but said she had little interaction with the family. She described the wife as friendly but didn’t know much else.
Planning the Attack: How It All Came Together
Soliman’s preparations for the attack were methodical and driven by hatred. He researched how to make Molotov cocktails on YouTube, carefully buying ingredients such as glass wine carafes and Ball jars. He also filled a backpack weed sprayer with gasoline for the attack.
Though he took a concealed-carry gun class and learned to shoot, he was blocked from buying a firearm because he wasn’t a U.S. citizen. That’s when he turned to homemade incendiary weapons instead.
Before heading out, he left a hidden iPhone with messages and a journal for his family — a final goodbye, perhaps.
The Attack Unfolds: Witnesses and Police Response
On the day of the demonstration, Soliman blended into the crowd, wearing a utility vest that made some bystanders mistake him for a gardener. Authorities said he even bought flowers from Home Depot before heading to the rally.
Video captured Soliman shirtless and yelling phrases like “Palestine is Free!” and “End Zionists!” as he threw Molotov cocktails and used his homemade flamethrower against peaceful protesters. Police arrested him at the scene, where they found at least 14 unused Molotov cocktails in a nearby container.
Charges and Investigation: The Aftermath
Following his arrest, Soliman was charged federally with a hate crime motivated by actual or perceived race, religion, or national origin, as well as state charges of attempted murder.
Authorities noted that prior to this attack, Soliman was not on their radar. Records show no prior criminal convictions in Colorado — only minor traffic infractions and a few non-criminal police calls involving his address.
During interviews, Soliman expressed deep hatred toward Zionists and claimed his motivation was to stop them from “taking over ‘our land,’” referring to Palestine.
Rising Tensions and Calls for Action
The attack comes amid increasing antisemitic violence across the country. Just last month, two Israeli Embassy staff members were killed by a gunman who reportedly shouted “Free Palestine!” — underscoring the ongoing tension and violence tied to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Jewish community leaders and advocacy groups have called for stronger action to protect communities from hate crimes and ensure safety for all.
Key Takeaways: What This Incident Reveals
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Long-term radicalization: Soliman’s year-long planning shows how simmering political hatred can fuel violent acts.
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The role of family: His daughter’s milestone delayed the attack, highlighting complex personal dynamics amid extremism.
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Access to weapons: Despite being blocked from buying guns, Soliman found alternative ways to build dangerous weapons.
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Immigration and assimilation struggles: The family’s move from Kuwait to America offered opportunities but also seemed to coincide with escalating personal turmoil.
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Community impact: The peaceful demonstration turned violent, injuring many and leaving lasting scars on the local community.
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