At a press conference Monday afternoon, federal and local officials announced new charges and provided major updates on Sunday’s terror attack on Jewish community members attending a walk for Israeli hostages on Pearl Street.
Federal charges: Acting U.S. Attorney J. Bishop Grewell announced that Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, has been charged with a federal hate crime under 18 U.S.C. § 249. The charge includes attempted murder and carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.
“Mr. Soliman stated that he had been planning this attack for a year,” Grewell said. “He said he wanted them all to die. He had no regrets, and he would go back and do it again.”
“No one should ever be subjected to violence of any kind,” Grewell added, “but our laws recognize that such violence is particularly pernicious when someone is targeted because of their race, their religion or their national origin.”
State charges: Boulder District Attorney Michael Dougherty said Soliman is also facing:16 counts of attempted first-degree murder2 counts of use of an incendiary device16 counts of attempted use of an incendiary device
These charges carry a potential sentence of up to 624 years in state prison. The judge has set bail at $10 million cash only.
“This community has experienced too many tragedies, fires, floods and mass attacks,” he said. “But each time I’ve seen this great community respond with strength, strength, resilience and support for one another.”
“We stand united in denouncing hate, terror and violence in this community,” he added. “We are united in condemning acts of antisemitism, hate … and we’re also united in a strong response to this horrific attack.”
More victims: The number of known victims has grown to 12, up from the original eight. Two remain hospitalized, according to Boulder Police. Additional charges are expected to reflect the expanded victim count.
Devices recovered: Investigators recovered two types of incendiary devices near the scene. Soliman allegedly had with him 16 unused Molotov cocktails — glass jars filled with gasoline and fitted with rags — as well as a backpack sprayer typically used for weed killer, which was also filled with flammable liquid. (The criminal complaint had said there were 14 unused Molotov cocktails.)
Motive and planning: According to the affidavit, Soliman told investigators he targeted the group because he “hated the Zionist group,” tried to buy a gun but couldn’t due to his immigration status, and resorted to Molotov cocktails instead.
Police update: Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn said officers and bomb squads worked into the early morning hours to ensure downtown was safe.
“We spent an extensive amount of time yesterday, up until the early morning hours today, with bomb dogs, our bomb squads, ensuring that there were no other threats in the area,” Redfearn said.
He added that all closures have now been lifted and downtown has reopened.
Redfearn also noted the department’s continued communication with the local Jewish community and emphasized: “We want everyone to feel safe. We will not condone these types of attacks and acts in our community.”
FBI investigation: Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek said the FBI has conducted 44 interviews, executed search warrants at Soliman’s home in Colorado Springs and deployed victim specialists.
“There is no question that the first responders saved lives and prevented further victims from being injured,” he said.
Both Redfearn and Michalek confirmed that Soliman was not on their radar prior to the attack. Authorities had no prior contact with him in Boulder, and he was not known to their joint terrorism task force.
Anyone with information, photos, or video is asked to submit tips at fbi.gov/boulderattack.
Read our ongoing coverage:
- Live blog: Follow real-time updates on the Pearl Street terror attack
- FBI: Pearl Street attack that injured eight was act of terrorism; suspect yelled ‘Free Palestine’ during assault
- Boulder antisemitic attack during peaceful walk for Gaza hostages on Pearl Street leaves multiple injured — at least one critically; suspect in custody