An Egyptian national with an expired visa used a homemade flamethrower to attack Jewish seniors during Shavuot, prompting a federal terrorism probe and raising urgent questions about extremist violence and immigration enforcement.
At a Glance
- FBI confirms Pearl Street Mall attack is being investigated as an act of terrorism
- Suspect Mohamed Sabry Soliman, an Egyptian national, had overstayed his visa since 2023
- Eight victims were injured, including an 88-year-old Holocaust survivor
- Soliman shouted “Free Palestine” during the assault and accidentally set himself on fire
- DHS and FBI have raided Soliman’s home and are probing possible extremist ties
Shavuot Vigil Turns Deadly
A peaceful vigil for Israeli hostages in Gaza turned into a horror scene on June 2 when 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman launched an arson-style terror attack on elderly demonstrators at Boulder’s Pearl Street Mall. Armed with Molotov cocktails and a homemade flamethrower, Soliman targeted a group of mostly Jewish seniors, injuring eight—including an 88-year-old Holocaust survivor—before being subdued after setting himself ablaze.
According to FBI Special Agent Mark Michalek, the attack was clearly ideologically motivated. “It is clear that this is a targeted act of violence and the FBI is investigating this as an act of terrorism,” Michalek stated. Soliman had reportedly been living illegally in Colorado Springs after his visa expired in 2023, and had somehow obtained a work permit despite that lapse.
Watch a report: Boulder Terror Attack: Elderly Jews Targeted
Radical Motives and Law Enforcement Response
Eyewitnesses reported Soliman shouting “Free Palestine” as he ignited his incendiary weapons. He was hospitalized for burns and remains in federal custody. The Department of Homeland Security is now collaborating with the FBI to investigate whether Soliman acted alone or was part of a broader extremist network.
A raid on Soliman’s residence in El Paso County has already yielded evidence, though officials have yet to confirm whether he had direct ties to foreign terrorist organizations. Former FBI agent Dan Bongino noted the FBI’s current classification: “This act of terror is being investigated as ideologically motivated violence based on the early information, the evidence, and witness accounts.”
Federal agents are examining Soliman’s digital communications and travel history for indications of radicalization. As BBC News reported, the attack marks one of the most visible examples yet of international conflict spilling onto U.S. streets.
Political Reactions and Antisemitic Surge
The political backlash has been swift. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser condemned the violence unequivocally: “People may have differing views about world events and the Israeli-Hamas conflict, but violence is never the answer to settling differences.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also condemned the incident, calling it a hate-motivated assault on peaceful demonstrators: “This attack was aimed against peaceful people who wished to express their solidarity with the hostages held by Hamas, simply because they were Jews.”
The attack comes amid a broader surge in antisemitic incidents in the United States following renewed violence in the Middle East. Major cities like New York have heightened security around synagogues and Jewish institutions in response.
Local community leaders, including Rabbi Israel Wilhelm, called for unity and resilience. One of the victims, described as a “very loving person,” had reportedly been attending the Shavuot gathering as a symbolic gesture of peace.
As the investigation continues, federal agencies face mounting pressure to reassess how expired visas and ideological extremism can intersect to create homegrown threats. The Boulder attack stands as a grim reminder of the vulnerabilities that persist on U.S. soil—and the imperative to confront rising hate before it turns deadly.
