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By Amanda Castro
Associate News Editor
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Mohamed Sabry Soliman's wife turned over his iPhone to police shortly after his arrest on Sunday for a violent hate crime in Boulder, Colorado, according to a federal affidavit.
Soliman allegedly threw Molotov cocktails into a pro-Israel crowd near the Boulder Courthouse, injuring eight people. His wife provided the phone to authorities at the Boulder Police Department after being seen leaving their home. The FBI says Soliman had told officers he left messages for his family on the device.
The incident is detailed in a criminal complaint signed by FBI Special Agent Jessica Krueger and filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado. The FBI Denver office and the Boulder Police Department are handling the investigation, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Hindman is prosecuting the case.
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Why It Matters
Authorities described Soliman as shouting "free Palestine" as he allegedly attacked a march in downtown Boulder as an organization called "Run For Their Lives" met for a walk around 1 p.m. Sunday to call attention to Israeli hostages still being held in Gaza.
On October 7, 2023, the Palestinian militant group Hamas led an attack against Israel, killing 1,200 and abducting 251 people. Today, around 58 people remain captive. Israel has since launched an offensive on Gaza, killing more than 54,000 people, according to the Associated Press, citing Gaza's Health Ministry.
The case marks one of the most serious recent hate crime allegations tied to the Israel-Palestine conflict in the United States. It stresses growing domestic tensions surrounding international politics and raises concerns about politically motivated violence on American soil.
Soliman's wife's cooperation may prove crucial in shaping the legal proceedings ahead.
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What To Know
Authorities say Soliman drove to Boulder on Sunday with homemade Molotov cocktails and threw two of them into the peaceful gathering that was held by the "Run For Their Lives" organization. The attack took place around 2 p.m. near 1303 Pearl Street where eight people suffered burn injuries.
A video posted to X, formerly Twitter, captured Soliman shirtless, pacing with incendiary devices and yelling phrases such as "end Zionist," per the affidavit. Police arrested him shortly after and recovered additional unlit Molotov cocktails from a black container nearby.
During a Miranda-read interview, Soliman admitted to planning the attack for a year. He told investigators he researched how to make Molotov cocktails on YouTube, wished to kill "Zionist people," and had waited until after his daughter's graduation to carry out the act.
Following Soliman's arrest, law enforcement observed his wife leaving their Colorado Springs residence. She later went to the local police department and turned in an iPhone 14 that Soliman had said he left behind with personal messages. Investigators also recovered a journal from his home.
Police found gasoline containers, red rags, and paperwork referencing "Israel," "Palestine," and "USAID" inside Soliman's Prius. A backpack sprayer containing flammable liquid and a storage unit linked to his home were also investigated.
Soliman is charged under 18 U.S.C. § 249(a)(1) and (a)(2), federal hate crime statutes concerning attacks motivated by race, religion, or national origin. He faces up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and other penalties if convicted.
What People Are Saying
FBI Special Agent Jessica Krueger in the affidavit: "The facts in this affidavit are based on my personal observations, my training and experience, and information obtained from other agents, local law enforcement, and witnesses. This affidavit is intended to show only that there is sufficient probable cause for the requested
warrant and does not set forth all of my knowledge about this matter
She added: "I submit that there is probable cause to believe that Mohammed Sabry SOLIMAN has violated 18 U.S.C. § § 249(a)(1) and (a)(2) (hate crime offenses involving actual or perceived race, religion, or national origin)."
President Donald Trump on Monday on Truth Social: "Yesterday's horrific attack in Boulder, Colorado, WILL NOT BE TOLERATED in the United States of America. Acts of Terrorism will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law. This is yet another example of why we must keep our Borders SECURE, and deport Illegal, Anti-American Radicals from our Homeland. My heart goes out to the victims of this terrible tragedy, and the Great People of Boulder, Colorado!"
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a statement on Monday: "This attack was aimed against peaceful people who wished to express their solidarity with the hostages held by Hamas, simply because they were Jews."
White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller on X on Monday: "The Biden Admin granted the alien a visa and then, when he illegally overstayed, they gave him a work permit. Immigration security is national security. No more hostile migration. Keep them out and send them back."
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a New York Democrat, wrote Monday on X: "I am horrified by last night's horrific attack in Boulder. My heart is with the victims and our Jewish communities across the country. Antisemitism is on the rise here at home, and we have a moral responsibility to confront and stop it everywhere it exists."
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino wrote on X on Sunday: "FBI personnel are on the scene in Boulder, Colorado, along with local law enforcement. We are investigating this incident as an act of terror, and targeted violence. All of the necessary assets will be dedicated to this investigation. If you have any investigative tips please contact the FBI. And if you aided or abetted this attack, we will find you. You cannot hide."
What Happens Next
Soliman remains in federal custody as prosecutors seek detention. A preliminary hearing date has not yet been set.
Federal agents are analyzing the phone and journal for additional evidence.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said that due to the attack and the reports that Soliman was in the country illegally, it's revamping its Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) tip line to 24 hours to provide Americans "the ability to report suspicious criminal activity by illegal aliens including terrorist activity, gang related crimes, and suspected sex trafficking."
Update 6/2/25, 3:08 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
Update 6/2/25, 3:52 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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