FBI charge Colorado suspect who 'researched on YouTube how to make Molotov cocktails'

A man has been charged with a federal hate crime and 16 counts of attempted after eight people were injured in an attack on a “Run For Their Lives” event in Boulder, , on Sunday afternoon.

On June 1, 2025, at approximately 2pm, Mohammed Sabry Soliman allegedly threw two lit Molotov cocktails at individuals participating in a gathering near the Boulder Courthouse of members of “Run for Their Lives,” which organizes weekly walks to call attention to the hostages in Gaza.

Soliman reportedly yelled “Free Palestine” during the attack which caused burn injuries to eight individuals. Footage at the chaotic scene shows the moment when police apprehend Soliman who appeared to have Molotov cocktails in both his hands.

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Soliman immediately put his hands up when police approach him with guns drawn and yell at him to get on the ground. He gets on the grass face down and is handcuffed by officers without seemingly resisting.

At a press conference on Monday evening, 20th judicial district attorney Michael Dougherty explained the charges against Soliman. He said that the suspect faces 16 counts of attempted murder in the first-degree, with eight of those for attempted murder with intent and after deliberation, meaning he had time to consider his crimes.

The other eight counts relate to attempted murder with extreme indifference, meaning he acted without regard to others' lives. Soliman is also charged with eight counts of first-degree assault, two counts of use of an incendiary device, and 16 counts of attempted use of an incendiary device.

A statement released by the FBI late last night reead: "The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Mohammed Sabry Soliman, age 45, of Colorado Springs, has been charged with one count of a hate crime involving actual or perceived race, religion, or national origin."

It continued: "The complaint also alleges that when Soliman was detained by local law enforcement, at least fourteen unlit Molotov cocktails and a backpack weed sprayer, potentially containing a flammable substance, were found nearby. A car registered to Soliman, parked a block away, contained a red gas container, red material consistent with rags used in the Molotov cocktails, and paperwork with the words, “,” “Palestine,” and “USAID.”

"The complaint further alleges that, during an interview with local and federal law enforcement, Soliman stated that he had researched on how to make Molotov cocktails, purchased the ingredients to do so, and constructed them. He traveled to Boulder in his vehicle with the Molotov cocktails and threw two of them at individuals participating in the gathering. He stated that he wanted to kill all Zionist people and wished they were all dead. He stated that he would do it (conduct an attack) again. Throughout the interview, Soliman stated that he hated the “Zionist group” and did this because he needed to stop them from taking over “our land,” i.e., Palestine. He stated that he had been planning the attack for a year."

The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations Denver Field Office and the Boulder Police Department.

A joint statement from Boulder's Jewish community said: "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."

It added: "Our hearts go out to those who witnessed this horrible attack, and prayers for a speedy recovery to those who were injured."

has blamed the flamethrower attack in Boulder on , claiming that the suspect in custody had entered the U.S. under the former president’s “ridiculous open border policy.”

“Yesterday’s horrific attack in Boulder, Colorado, WILL NOT BE TOLERATED in the United States of America,” the president fumed on Truth Social.

If convicted on all charges Soliman faces a maximum sentence of 624 years in prison.