Egyptian national arrested for Molotov cocktail attack in Boulder

In the United States, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, a 45-year-old man from El Paso County, Colorado, was arrested following a violent attack on a group of advocates at Pearl Street Mall in Boulder. The incident occurred on a Sunday afternoon when Soliman threw Molotov cocktails into the crowd and utilized a makeshift flamethrower. Authorities report that this assault was premeditated, with Soliman indicating that he had been planning the act for a year, waiting until after his daughter's graduation to execute his plan. The group targeted was advocating for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza. Local law enforcement was called to the scene shortly after 1:26 p.m. Witnesses at the event described the terror unleashed by Soliman, explaining how he hurled incendiary devices into the crowd and ignited chaos. The Boulder Police Department confirmed that the FBI is treating this as an act of terrorism, citing the targeted nature of the attack. Special Agent Mark Michalek stated that the agency is thoroughly investigating the incident, with updates regarding potential connections to broader criminal networks still pending. Mohamed Soliman entered the United States on a tourist visa that expired in February 2023, only six months after his arrival. Simultaneously, he applied for asylum, but it is unclear whether that application was still under consideration at the time of the attack. Criticism of the Biden administration arose following claims that Soliman, referred to as an 'illegal alien' by White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, was issued a work permit despite having overstayed his visa. This highlights ongoing discussions about immigration policy and security. In the aftermath of the attack, investigators discovered that Soliman had left behind an iPhone with messages directed to his family, along with a journal. Despite the severity of the assault and potential chaos it could have caused, authorities are confident that Soliman acted alone. Experts and law enforcement officials are emphasizing that while this solitary attack is being treated seriously, thus far, there have been no indications of any connection to larger, organized groups, which means this incident is being thoroughly examined within the context of domestic terrorism.