A 45-year-old suspect was arrested in Colorado after throwing a firebomb at a group of Jewish community members on Sunday, injuring at least six people. The attacker, identified as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, was reportedly shouting “Free Palestine” during the attack. Authorities, including the FBI, are now calling it a “targeted act of violence“.

Soliman is said to have used a “makeshift flame-thrower” to launch an incendiary device into the crowd while allegedly yelling “Free Palestine,” according to FBI Denver Special Agent-in-Charge Mark Michalek’s address during a news conference.

The six victims who are injured belong to the age group ranging from 67 to 88. As per Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn, one person was “very seriously injured,” while four victims were taken to Boulder Community Hospital. Two were airlifted to the Denver metro area.

ALSO READ

Who is Mohamed Soliman? Possibly an illegal immigrant who overstayed his visa status

According to CNN, the man suspected to be behind the Colorado terror attack is 45 years old. As of now, Soliman is the sole person of interest as he is said to have acted alone and does not belong to a larger group. Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty said that he will be charged in the coming days. A CNN source close to the investigation suggested that federal criminal charges could scar the suspect’s criminal record soon.

The US-based media agency also signalled that Mohamed Sabry Soliman, who is an Egyptian national, is an illegal immigrant in the US. In 2005, he was denied a visa to enter America. Although further details about the man are awaited, Fox News’ Bill Melugin also amplified the same claims, noting that the accused allegedly came into the country on August 27, 2022, via Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) using a B1/B2 nonimmigrant visa. This visa in question was reportedly only valid through February 26, 2023.

“Three senior DHS sources tell Fox News that the Boulder terror suspect is an Egyptian national in the US illegally as a visa overstay who entered the U.S. during the Biden administration,” the Fox News correspondent wrote on X. “I’m told Mohamed Sabry Soliman arrived at LAX on 8/27/22 on a B1/B2 nonimmigrant visa with an authorized stay through 2/26/23, but he overstayed & never left.” 

Melugin also stated that on 9/29/22, Soliman possibly filed an asylum claim with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Thereafter, he was given work authorisation under the Biden administration on 3/29/23. This expired on 3/28/25.

ALSO READ

Colorado terror attack: What are lawmakers saying?

Colorado Governor Jared Polis said on X that he was closely monitoring the situation in Boulder. “My thoughts go out to the people who have been injured and impacted by this heinous act of terror. Hate-filled acts of any kind are unacceptable. White details emerge, the state works with local and federal law enforcement to support this investigation,” he tweeted online, while promising more information as updates on the matter flow in.

FBI Director Kash Patel and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino also called the incident a terrorist attack. FBI agents arrived at the scene around 3:30 pm.

Meanwhile, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said, “The @ODNIgov’s National Counterterrorism Center is working with the FBI and local law enforcement on the ground investigating the targeted terror attack against a weekly meeting of Jewish community members who had just gathered in Boulder, CO to raise awareness of the hostages kidnapped during Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7. Thank you to first responders and local authorities for your quick response and action.”

More updates about the Colorado attack suspect will be added.