Breaking: Man Who Set Jewish Demonstrators on Fire Hit with Hate Crime Charges, Admitted Targeting ‘Zionist Group’

The Egyptian illegal immigrant who used a flamethrower and molotov cocktails to set a group of Jewish people on fire Sunday at a pro-Israel demonstration in Boulder, Colo. is now facing federal hate crime charges.

Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, told authorities he planned the attack for a year and admitted to targeting the “Zionist group” in Boulder after doing research, according to court documents obtained by Fox News.

Soliman admitted to police that he wanted to kill Zionists and said he would repeat the attack if he could. He repeatedly expressed his hatred for the Zionist group and said he needed to prevent them from taking “our land,” referring to Palestine, the court documents show.

He also said he waited until after his daughter’s high school graduation to carry out the attack. Inside his Colorado Springs residence, Soliman left messages for his family, an iPhone, and a journal.

Near where Soliman was arrested, law enforcement found 14 more molotov cocktails in a black container. The words “Israel,” “Palestine,” and “USAID,” were written on paperwork inside Soliman’s vehicle.

The FBI quickly identified the suspect and said he was heard yelling “Free Palestine” during the attack. Soliman’s rampage left eight people wounded, two of whom have serious injuries. The victims ranged in age from 52 to 88 and reportedly included a Holocaust survivor. One woman was badly burned during the attack and had to roll around to extinguish the flames, local outlet KUSA reported.

Soliman was in the U.S. illegally. He entered on a tourist visa and then overstayed it, before getting a work permit during the Biden administration, White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller said.

“A terror attack was committed in Boulder, Colorado by an illegal alien. He was granted a tourist visa by the Biden Administration and then he illegally overstayed that visa. In response, the Biden Administration gave him a work permit,” Miller posted on X.

Photos and videos of the incident circulated quickly on social media that appeared to show a man setting people on fire. The shirtless suspect could be heard yelling anti-Israel chants — such as “we have to end the Zionists” — and was seen carrying two bottles containing some kind of accelerant. Boulder police said Sunday it was too early to speculate on the suspect’s motive, despite the political nature of the attack.

FBI Director Kash Patel and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said Sunday the bureau sent personnel to the scene of the attack in Boulder and an investigation is underway.

“We are aware of and fully investigating a targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado. Our agents and local law enforcement are on the scene already, and we will share updates as more information becomes available,” Patel said on X.

Bongino said the FBI is investigating a terrorist act of “ideologically motivated violence” based on preliminary information.

Local police initially advised people to avoid the area while law enforcement came onto the scene at 13th and Pearl Streets in Boulder. Police reopened the areas early Monday morning.

“I am closely monitoring the situation in Boulder, and 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. While details emerge, the state works with local and federal law enforcement to support this investigation,” Colorado Governor Jared Polis (D.) said.

Local and national political leaders of all affiliations quickly condemned the antisemitic attack and voiced solidarity with the Jewish community. Soliman carried out his attack on the eve of Shavuot, a Jewish holiday.

“I am saddened and outraged at the appalling attack on members of Boulder’s Jewish community that happened today during a peaceful gathering on Pearl Street. My heart goes out to the victims and their families and all who were impacted by this tragic incident,” said Boulder Mayor Aaron Brockett.

“Know that the Jewish community has my full support, and the support of the entire Boulder community.”

The pro-Israel demonstrators were participating in a walk to call for the release of the remaining hostages in Hamas captivity. Run For Their Lives, the group that organized the walk, said it was a peaceful walk to express solidarity with the hostages. Hamas terrorists abducted 251 hostages during the mass slaughter on October 7, 2023, and 58 hostages are still being held captive, including roughly 20 who are alive.

“We are saddened and heartbroken to learn that an incendiary device was thrown at walkers at the Run for Their Lives walk on Pearl Street as they were raising awareness for the hostages still held in Gaza,” Boulder’s Jewish community said in a joint statement.

“Our hearts go out to those who witnessed this horrible attack, and prayers for a speedy recovery to those who were injured.”

The attack on pro-Israel demonstrators in Colorado is the second suspected terror attack in recent weeks related to Israel’s ongoing war against Hamas. A left-wing, anti-Israel gunman shot and killed two young Israeli embassy staffers outside of the Capital Jewish museum in Washington, D.C., last month.

The gunman, Elias Rodriguez, chanted “free, free Palestine” after committing the heinous attack and now faces murder charges for killing Yaron Lischinsky, an Israeli, and Sarah Milgrim, an American. The couple were soon to be engaged.