Holocaust Survivor Among Victims in Boulder, Colorado Suspected Terror Attack
Holocaust survivor among victims of Boulder terror attack, officials confirm.
Authorities in Boulder, Colorado are investigating a suspected terror attack that left eight people injured—one critically—at a pro-Israel demonstration on Sunday. Among the victims was an elderly woman who survived the Holocaust, a chilling detail confirmed by a senior official from the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice.
The attacker, identified by police as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, allegedly disrupted a peaceful protest advocating for the release of hostages held by Hamas. Witnesses describe scenes of chaos and fear as Soliman is accused of setting multiple individuals on fire while reportedly shouting, "Free Palestine." The protest, organized by a group called "Run for Their Lives," quickly descended into panic as participants tried to subdue the assailant and help the wounded.
Leo Terrell of the Justice Department emphasized the profound tragedy of a Holocaust survivor falling victim yet again to violence on American soil. "She endured the worst evil in human history. She came to America seeking safety,” Terrell stated, drawing a parallel between the attack in Boulder and previous atrocities targeting Jewish communities, including the October 7 events in Israel. The mention of such past horrors has intensified calls for vigilance and solidarity against anti-Semitism and terrorism worldwide.
Soliman now faces a series of severe charges—including first-degree murder with deliberation, murder with extreme indifference, assault on at-risk adults, and the use of incendiary devices during the commission of a felony. Prosecutors also accuse him of attempting to commit both class one and two felonies and have set his bond at $10 million. He remains in custody as the investigation continues.
According to officials familiar with the case, Soliman is an Egyptian national who first entered the United States in August 2022 on a B1/B2 non-immigrant visa, which expired in February 2023. Despite his visa’s expiration, he remained in the country and later filed a work authorization claim, granting him temporary work status through March 2025.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is treating the incident as a terror attack. FBI director Kash Patel assured the public that federal and local authorities are working closely together to determine motives and any broader threats potentially associated with the event. "We are aware of and fully investigating a targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado," Patel said, promising ongoing updates as more information is uncovered.
This assault—coming amid heightened tensions over global conflicts—has renewed concerns about the targeting of vulnerable communities in the United States, and prompted widespread condemnation from lawmakers, civil rights organizations, and community leaders.
