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The Egyptian-born illegal immigrant accused of firebombing a pro-Israel rally in Boulder, Colorado, on Sunday afternoon exhibits traits typical of a lone-wolf terrorist, contributing to a growing concern over individual attacks.
Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, is charged with using homemade incendiary devices to ignite eight people as they gathered to support the return of Israeli hostages in Hamas captivity during a daytime attack at Boulder’s Pearl Street Mall. Videos show a shirtless man, purportedly Soliman, standing threateningly and holding two further devices following the initial attack, as bystanders recorded him. Authorities eventually converged on the scene, and he surrendered.
“From a behavioral and psychological profiling perspective, this suggests impulsive extremism or a desire for martyrdom rather than escape or survival,” Jason Pack, a retired FBI supervisory special agent, told Fox News Digital.
Mohamed Sabry Soliman is now facing multiple charges after the incident in Boulder, Colo., on June 1, 2025. (@BHflyer5/Storyful)
Pack noted that authorities will also assess Soliman’s mental health.
Soliman also reportedly told investigators he wanted to “kill all Zionist people and wished they were all dead” and that “he would do it … again.”
“This kind of violence shakes communities, and it’s not something law enforcement takes lightly,” said Pack. “One man with homemade firebombs injured nearly a dozen people. That’s why police around the country will be taking a second look at security plans for similar events, especially ones tied to Israel, Gaza or other politically charged issues.”
Soliman has been charged with attempted first-degree murder, crimes against at-risk adults/elderly, assault, criminal attempt to commit class 1 and class 2 felonies, and use of explosives or incendiary devices during a felony.
The FBI described his actions as a “targeted terror attack.”
Mohamed Sabry Soliman was arrested on Sunday after he allegedly used homemade incendiary devices to light eight people on fire. (KDVR)
“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,” Pack said.
The pro-Israel advocates gathered on Sunday for a Run for Their Lives event, a run/walk to raise awareness about Israeli hostages still in Hamas captivity. The victims ranged in age from 52 to 88, and one of them was in critical condition.
Soliman first arrived in the United States on a non-immigrant visa in August 2022. That visa expired in February 2023, but he remained in the country. He received a work permit from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in March 2023 that was valid through March of this year. He once again overstayed his visa and was in the country illegally during Sunday’s attack.
