A horrifying act of violence shook Boulder, Colorado, on Sunday as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, an Egyptian-born illegal immigrant, allegedly firebombed a peaceful pro-Israel rally, sending at least eight attendees to the hospital and igniting concerns over the growing threat of lone-wolf terrorism in the United States.
Soliman, 45, is accused of launching two homemade Molotov cocktails at participants of the “Run for Their Lives” rally at Pearl Street Mall — a public event dedicated to raising awareness for the Israeli hostages still held by Hamas. In an instant, what began as a call for peace was engulfed in flames and chaos.
According to court documents and law enforcement sources, Soliman planned the attack in advance. He researched how to make Molotov cocktails on YouTube, purchased the necessary components, filled up a gas can en route to the rally, and then struck with precision during a daylight event.
Eyewitness videos show a shirtless man, believed to be Soliman, brandishing additional incendiary devices after the initial explosion, shouting “Free Palestine” as terrified bystanders scrambled to escape. Authorities quickly moved in and took him into custody without further incident.
While the attack bore the marks of amateurism — such as hand-built weapons and public execution — experts believe it was far from random.
Retired FBI Supervisory Special Agent Jason Pack offered a sobering analysis to Fox News Digital: “This kind of attacker typically operates without a support network but may be influenced by online propaganda or perceived injustices.”
Pack emphasized the psychological profile: a disorganized, emotionally unstable individual, radicalized perhaps in isolation and driven by rage or a quest for martyrdom. Soliman reportedly left behind an iPhone and a journal with farewell messages to family, further evidence of premeditation and ideological conviction.
In a statement to investigators, Soliman admitted that he “wanted to kill all Zionist people” and said he would do it again if given the chance — chilling words that are now being taken very seriously at the federal level.
Their latest version of this story’s headline is… something https://t.co/jKyXymtdGa pic.twitter.com/n59TyYceyI
— Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) June 3, 2025
Soliman now faces multiple charges, including attempted first-degree murder, assault, and use of incendiary devices in the commission of a felony. Federal authorities have labeled the attack a “targeted terror act,” underscoring its political and ideological implications.
In addition to his criminal charges, Soliman’s immigration status has raised serious red flags. He entered the U.S. legally on a B-2 tourist visa in August 2022, filed for asylum that September, and received a work permit valid through March 2024. However, he overstayed his visa, and was unlawfully in the country at the time of the attack.
This latest incident is certain to rekindle debates over immigration enforcement, visa overstays, and the security risks posed by individuals who fall through bureaucratic cracks. Soliman’s case highlights a recurring theme in lone-wolf attacks: perpetrators who remain under the radar until they act.
According to the FBI and Department of Homeland Security, attacks by radicalized individuals acting alone are among the most difficult to detect and prevent. These individuals often lack direct affiliations with terrorist organizations, but are influenced by propaganda — particularly online — and carry out attacks for personal or political reasons.
Soliman’s targeting of elderly individuals — victims ranged in age from 52 to 88 — adds a layer of cruelty to an already appalling crime. One victim remains in critical condition, while others are recovering from burns and trauma.
As Pack noted, “These kinds of lone-wolf attacks are tough to predict, but they’re not impossible to stop. The key is sharing intel, watching for behavioral warning signs and not ignoring threats when they surface.”
