Armed Assailant Shouts Pro-Palestine Slogans, Targets Jewish Protesters in Boulder
Demonstrators of Jewish faith sustain injuries during an assault in the United States - Protesters of Jewish origin sustain injuries during an attack in the United States
Get the full picture with our enrichment insights:
- Suspect Background: The perpetrator, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, is a 45-year-old Egyptian national who has been living illegally in the United States. Having initially entered the country on a tourism visa, he applied for asylum in September 2022, with his visa expiring in February 2023. Surprisingly, he was granted a work permit, despite his status. Residing in Colorado Springs, he carried out the attack after a year's planning, motivated by anti-Israel sentiments.
The chilling scene unfolded in Boulder, Colorado, as a group of Jewish demonstrators peacefully marched to voice their solidarity for hostages held captive in the Gaza Strip. Tragically, their march was disrupted by an unidentified man armed with an improvised flamethrower and incendiary devices, who shouted "Free Palestine!"
FBI investigator Mark Michalek confirmed that the attacker targeted the demonstrators, while FBI and local police have since identified the suspect as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, a 45-year-old Egyptian national. Regrettably, eight lives were left in shambles, with four women and four men aged between 52 and 88 sustaining injuries. The critically injured victim is currently fighting for their life.
Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn declined to comment on the attacker's motive, noting it was "too early" to label it as terrorism. However, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller confirmed that the attacker was a foreign national who had overstayed their visa in the USA.
Setting the stage for this disturbing event was a previous attack outside the Jewish Museum in Washington, where a man targeted and killed two Israeli embassy employees, also shouting "Free Palestine." Israeli diplomats have denounced these incidents as acts of anti-Semitism, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attributing the rise in anti-semitic attacks worldwide to "ritual murder accusations against the Jewish state and its people."
Notably, Israel has been embroiled in a deadly conflict with Islamist groups in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023. Thousands of casualties have been reported, including the abduction of 1210 people, and 57 hostages remain in captivity at the time of publication.
The Boulder incident took place just over two weeks after the violent attack in Washington, D.C. In response, Israel has launched extensive military operations in the Gaza Strip. The Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health, whose reports cannot be independently verified, states that over 54,000 people have been killed so far in the violence.
In light of the events in Boulder, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar condemned the act as "pure antisemitism." Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, expressed shock, stating, "Terrorism against Jews does not stop at the border of the Gaza Strip. It is already burning in the streets of America."
- Key Locations: Boulder, Colorado; Gaza Strip
- Agencies: FBI, local Boulder police; White House
- States: Colorado, USA; Egypt
- Related Topics: Antisemitism, Israel-Palestinian conflict, terrorism, firearms, asylum, hate crimes
FBI investigations and local police in Boulder, Colorado, are investigating a violent attack on Jewish demonstrators in the heart of the city, where an armed assailant shouted pro-Palestine slogans. This incident, marked by hate and regional tensions, comes under the broader categories of war-and-conflicts, politics, and crime-and-justice. The attacker, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, an Egyptian national living illegally in the United States, was granted a work permit despite his visa expiring in February 2023. This incident highlights the importance of thorough background checks and immigration policies in maintaining public safety in the USA.
