A Holocaust survivor was among the victims of the terror attack that took place in Boulder, Colorado, on Sunday. According to a government official, the attack, which occurred during a pro-Israel peaceful protest advocating for the release of Hamas hostages, resulted in one fatality and eight injuries, with one individual in critical condition. The alleged perpetrator, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, is accused of setting people on fire and targeting the demonstration with a violent act. During the attack, Soliman was allegedly heard yelling, ‘Free Palestine,’ which has drawn comparisons to the rhetoric used by extremist groups.
Leo Terrell, senior counsel for the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, underscored the gravity of the incident. ‘One of the victims of the Boulder attack was a Holocaust survivor. She endured the worst evil in human history. She came to America seeking safety,’ Terrell stated. ‘And now, decades later, she’s victimized again by a terrorist screaming ‘Free Palestine.’ The same slogan another terrorist just screamed when murdering Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim on May 21.’ Terrell emphasized that the attack on this survivor serves as a grim reminder of the horror of October 7, when Holocaust survivors were murdered and dragged away by Hamas terrorists in Israel.
Soliman, an Egyptian national who entered the United States illegally, faces multiple charges, including murder in the first degree, criminal attempt to commit class one and class two felonies, and the use of explosives or incendiary devices during felony. He was booked into jail on Sunday with a $10 million bond and remains in custody. The alleged attack occurred during a gathering organized by the pro-Israel group ‘Run for Their Lives.’ Sources indicate that Soliman first entered the U.S. on August 27, 2022, on a B1/B2 visa that expired on February 26, 2023, but he did not leave the country. He filed a work authorization claim with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on March 29, 2023, which allowed him to work until March 2025.
FBI Director Kash Patel described the incident as a targeted terror attack, stating that ‘we are aware of and fully investigating a targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado.’ Patel highlighted that agents and local law enforcement are on the scene and will provide updates as more information becomes available. The attack has ignited calls for stricter immigration controls and increased security measures, particularly in regions hosting pro-Israel demonstrations. The tragedy has also prompted reflections on the historical parallels between the events of October 7 and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.