A defendant charged with a deadly firebomb assault on supporters of Israeli hostages in Colorado is scheduled to enter a guilty plea this week, court filings reveal.
Mohamed Sabry Soliman could receive a life sentence without parole if a judge accepts his admission of guilt for the June 1 incident in Boulder’s downtown area, according to documents his legal team submitted Sunday in the corresponding federal case.
Initially, Soliman had entered a not guilty plea after being charged with hurling two incendiary devices at demonstrators gathered at a pedestrian shopping area. An elderly woman, 82, who sustained injuries during the assault subsequently passed away. Twelve additional people were wounded.
Federal officials identify Soliman as an Egyptian citizen residing unlawfully in the United States. According to investigators, he spent a year preparing the assault and was motivated by his goal “to kill all Zionist people.”
The defendant faces numerous state criminal charges, including homicide and multiple counts of attempted homicide.
In the federal case, Soliman maintains his innocence regarding hate crime allegations. His legal representatives indicate prosecutors are weighing whether to pursue capital punishment in that matter. Last August, Soliman’s defense team stated he was willing to admit guilt to federal charges in exchange for life imprisonment.
The Associated Press attempted to reach Soliman’s legal counsel in both proceedings. His federal public defenders wrote in Sunday’s filing that the assault “was profoundly inconsistent” with Soliman’s previous behavior and “came as a total shock to his family.”
Prior to the incident, Soliman resided with his family in a small Colorado Springs apartment. He had held various minimum-wage positions after arriving in America from Kuwait in 2022 with his spouse and five children, his lawyers stated. The marriage ended in divorce this past April, according to his attorneys.
Shannon Carbone from the 20th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, handling the state prosecution, refused to discuss Soliman’s planned guilty plea, citing judicial restrictions on prosecutor statements.
“From the very first day, our office has been committed to fighting for justice in this case,” Carbone stated in an email, noting that County Attorney Michael Dougherty will speak about the matter after Thursday’s court appearance.
According to investigators, Soliman admitted his intention was to kill approximately 20 people participating in the regular demonstration at Boulder’s Pearl Street pedestrian area. However, he deployed only two of the more than 24 incendiary devices he carried while shouting, “Free Palestine!” Authorities said he explained that fear stopped him because he had never previously harmed anyone.
Federal prosecutors claim the victims were chosen due to their perceived or real ties to Israel. However, Soliman’s federal defense attorneys argue hate crime charges are inappropriate because evidence demonstrates his actions were driven by anti-Zionist beliefs rather than religious hatred.
Under federal statute, attacks motivated by political opposition do not qualify as hate crimes.
State prosecutors have documented 29 victims from the incident. Thirteen suffered physical harm, while others present are classified as victims due to potential danger. A canine was also hurt in the attack, leading to animal cruelty charges against Soliman.
