"No American should experience violence motivated by hatred based on their faith or national origin, and the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice will act swiftly and decisively to bring the perpetrators of such crimes to justice. There can be zero tolerance for such acts in our great nation." ”

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon

BOULDER - The Justice Department has filed federal charges against Mohammed Sabry Soliman, the alleged perpetrator of the June 1 antisemitic terrorist attack in Boulder, according to a news release.

The victims of the attack were participating in a weekly, national event, Run for Their Lives, focused on bringing attention to the Israeli hostages being held by Hamas.

Attorney General Pamela Bondi released the following statement: "The Department of Justice has swiftly charged the illegal alien perpetrator of this heinous attack with a federal hate crime and will hold him accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Our prayers are with the victims and our Jewish community across the world.

“This vile anti-Semitic violence comes just weeks after the horrific murder of two young Jewish Americans in Washington DC We will never tolerate this kind of hatred. We refuse to accept a world in which Jewish Americans are targeted for who they are and what they believe," Bondi said.

While both victims of that attack were employees of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, one was not Jewish.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon said, "No American should experience violence motivated by hatred based on their faith or national origin, and the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice will act swiftly and decisively to bring the perpetrators of such crimes to justice. There can be zero tolerance for such acts in our great nation." 

Soliman is being charged with a federal hate crime in addition to facing state charges for attempted murder in Colorado, according to the release.

Officials from the Boulder District Attorney’s Office and the Boulder Police Department joined the FBI and Acting U.S. Attorney J. Bishop Grewell for a joint press conference on Monday, June 2, to announce state and federal charges against Mohamed Sabry Soliman in connection with the June 1 attack on a gathering on Pearl Street in Boulder. 

The press conference took place at the Boulder Police Department, and was live-streamed. Speakers were Acting U.S. Attorney J. Bishop Grewell for the District of Colorado, Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek for FBI Denver, 20th Judicial District Attorney Michael Dougherty, and Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn.

Grewell said “We are heartbroken.” He prayed for the families and those not feeling safe in their community. “My office is here for you,” he added.

Grewell thanked the first responders who saved lives and brought the attack to an end. Dougherty added, “My office and AAG Dhillon were in contact all day yesterday.”

The suspect, Soliman, 45, has been charged with committing a hate crime, and could face life in prison. According to his own words, he had been preparing for this for years, Grewell said.

He threw Molotov cocktails. When he was interviewed, he said he wanted all the marchers to die. Grewell said he hopes justice will help heal the community.

Dougherty said that we are standing shoulder to shoulder in condemning this. “I stand with Colorado against hate.  

“Boulder is a beautiful, special place but we are not immune to violence. Some people had a peaceful gathering, and this happened. Justice will be done.”

The Boulder Police Department rendered aid to the victims. Afterward, they found 16 unused firebombs. They will continue to work with the U.S. Attorney.

There are eight victims, leading to 16 counts of attempted murder in the first degree, making Soliman eligible for 384 years in prison, plus 48 years for use of an incendiary device and the same for attempted use. He went before the judge that afternoon.

“This is a terrific attack, but first responders and the police displayed teamwork and worked professionally. They have identified four additional victims, and we now have 12 victims.

“This community has faced too many tragedies, floods, fire, and shootings, but our community will rally,” Dougherty noted.

FBI Denver’s Michalek said the FBI stands shoulder to shoulder with the Boulder Police Department to support the victims and families. They are committed to be here, and the FBI has more than 30 people investigating to find others who supported Soliman.

The FBI had conducted 44 witness interviews at that point, and personnel are deployed throughout the area so Pearl Street could be opened.

“If you see something suspicious, call us,” Michalek added.

Redfearn said that this work is remarkable. There were, at that point, no active closures in Boulder. After midnight Sunday night, people could come back to the area and get their cars or things they needed.

“We will assure adequate coverage for any events. We had strong relationships with the Jewish Community, and we will have a meeting with leaders after this meeting,” Redfearn said.

He continued, “Let us come out and see if there is any validity to your safety concerns. We have been contacted from all over the world about this.”

In answer to questions, Redfearn said they still have two victims in the hospital, and their thoughts are with them. During the time of the event, about 20 to 30 people were right there at the courthouse. Soliman was not on our radar here in Boulder, Redfearn said.

The complaint stated that on June 1, 2025, at approximately 2 p.m., Soliman threw two lit Molotov cocktails at individuals near the Boulder 2 Courthouse who were participating in a march remembering the Israeli hostages. When he threw the Molotov cocktails, Soliman yelled “Free Palestine!” and the Molotov cocktails ignited in the crowd of people, causing burn injuries to eight individuals. One of the victims is a survivor of the Holocaust.

Soliman was detained by local law enforcement. A black plastic container with a yellow top was found near where Soliman was arrested. In the container were at least fourteen unlit Molotov cocktails, comprised of glass wine carafe bottles or Ball jars containing clear liquid and red rags hanging out of the bottles.

Near the black plastic container was a backpack weed sprayer, potentially containing a flammable substance. The clear liquid in the glass bottles and weed sprayer were determined to be 87 octane gasoline, which was determined to contain xylene.

Law enforcement located a 2015 silver Toyota Prius, Colorado license plate CQAN01, registered to Soliman and parked nearby on Spruce Street at 13th Street. Visible inside the car was red material consistent with the rags found in the black plastic container, a red gas container, and paperwork with the words “Israel,” “Palestine,” and “USAID.” The vehicle was subsequently moved to the FBI Denver facility.

Soliman was placed under arrest and a mirandized interview was conducted by local and federal law enforcement. During the interview, Soliman stated that he researched on YouTube how to make Molotov Cocktails, purchased the ingredients to do so, and constructed them.

He traveled to Boulder in his vehicle with the Molotov cocktails and threw two of the cocktails at individuals participating in what he defined as a pro-Israel gathering.

He stated that he wanted to kill all Zionist people and wished they were all dead. He said that he had been planning the attack for a year and was waiting until after his daughter graduated from high school to conduct the attack.

Also during the interview, Soliman stated that he resides at 2316 Washo Circle, Colorado Springs, Colorado, with his wife and five children. After his arrest, law enforcement officers arrived at his residence in Colorado Springs and observed his wife leaving the home.

In a video which was posted on the social media platform X during the attack, an individual identified as Soliman is seen shirtless, pacing back and forth while holding what appear to be Molotov cocktails, glass bottles containing clear liquid with a red rag hanging from the top of the bottle. He is captured on the video yelling “How many children killed?” then a few moments later, “End Zionist.”

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