(COLORADO) — The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has identified the Boulder Pearl Street Mall suspect as being from El Paso County.
On Sunday, June 1, at around 1:26 p.m., Boulder Police were called to the outdoor Pearl Street Mall in Boulder on a report of an attack on a group of individuals. According to the FBI, the individuals were walking in a regularly scheduled, weekly, peaceful event.
Witnesses reported the suspect used a makeshift flamethrower and threw an incendiary device into the crowd. The suspect was also heard to yell “Free Palestine” during the attack, according to the FBI. Law enforcement identified eight victims, four women and four men, between the ages of 52 and 88.
At around 8 p.m. on Sunday, FBI Denver reported via X that it was at a location in El Paso County in relation to the attack.
“The FBI is at a location in El Paso County, CO, conducting court-authorized law enforcement activity related to the attack on the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder,” the FBI wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter). “As this is an ongoing investigation, no additional information is available at this time.”
The FBI later confirmed the suspect, 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, was from El Paso County. FOX News reported that, according to the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration Enforcement (ICE), Soliman was in the country illegally and had overstayed his visa. FOX News also reported that Soliman was an Egyptian national.
The home was reportedly in Colorado Springs.
“Our strength as a society comes from our shared values and our commitment to protecting one another. Any attempt to divide us through fear or harm has no place in Boulder — Colorado or anywhere in our nation,” said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek. “We stand
in full solidarity with those targeted. And we will continue to ensure that justice is pursued swiftly, support is provided to victims and their communities, and preventative action is taken to
protect everyone’s safety.”
The FBI is investigating the attack as a targeted act of terrorism and is working with the Boulder Police Department to process the crime scene, interview witnesses, and gather evidence.
“My thoughts go out to the people who have been injured by this heinous and targeted act on the Jewish community. Boulder is strong. We have overcome tragedies together and will get through this together as a community. I’ve spoken with Boulder Mayor Brockett, and my administration is working closely with local and federal law enforcement on this afternoon’s attack. I thank the first responders who ran to help the injured and ensure victims received medical attention needed and to apprehend the suspect. As the Jewish community reels from the recent antisemitic murders in Washington, D.C., it is unfathomable that the community is facing another antisemitic attack here in Boulder, on the eve of the holiday of Shavuot. Several individuals were brutally attacked while peacefully drawing attention to the plight of hostages who have been held by Hamas terrorists in Gaza for 604 days. Hate is unacceptable in our Colorado for all, and I condemn this act of terror. The suspect should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Governor Jared Polis
Soliman was booked into Boulder County Jail on multiple charges, including First-Degree Assault. He is being held on a $10 million bond.
Anyone with information is asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI. Anyone with digital media — videos, social media posts, digital recordings— is asked to upload it to fbi.gov/boulderattack.
