Neighbor Describes Boulder Terror Attack Suspect as a Loving Family Man

The community of Boulder, Colorado remains in shock after authorities charged Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, in connection with a violent attack at a pro-Israel gathering on Sunday. Soliman now faces a federal hate crime charge, multiple state counts—including attempted first-degree murder, assault, and use of explosives—and is accused of throwing two lit Molotov cocktails at the crowd near the Boulder Courthouse, injuring twelve people.

Neighbors expressed disbelief upon learning about Soliman’s alleged actions. “He was a really nice guy. He was our neighbor,” said one local resident who chose to remain anonymous. Others recalled Soliman as a devoted family man, married with five children who often played alongside others in the neighborhood. His wife was described as a stay-at-home mother known for her hospitality and sharing food with neighbors during special occasions such as Ramadan.

Despite these seemingly ordinary interactions, federal documents allege that Soliman meticulously planned the attack for over a year, revealing to investigators that he waited until after his daughter's graduation to carry out the plot. According to the official complaint, Soliman specifically targeted the group based on information he found online, stating that he wanted to kill “all Zionist people” and expressing a desire for their deaths. He told agents he would commit the act again if given the chance.

Further investigation revealed that Soliman had entered the United States on a work visa two years ago, which has since expired. At the time of the incident, he was reportedly working as an Uber driver, having passed all necessary background checks and meeting Colorado’s eligibility requirements. Uber confirmed that prior to this event, Soliman’s driving record and customer feedback showed no cause for concern. In response to the charges, Uber has banned his driver's account and is cooperating fully with authorities.

In interviews with law enforcement, Soliman admitted to gathering materials for the attack on the way to Boulder, including stopping at a gas station to obtain fuel for the incendiary devices. He indicated that his motivations were rooted in hatred for the Zionist group present at the event, as well as broader animosity related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The federal complaint details that Soliman learned about the gathering through an online search and arrived at the event site shortly before it began, lying in wait before launching the attack.

Following his arrest, Soliman was booked into the Boulder County Jail and is being held on a $10 million bond. This case has drawn widespread condemnation from political leaders and Jewish organizations, who have labeled the incident as a “horrifying” act of hate-driven violence. Meanwhile, Boulder residents continue to grapple with the disturbing contrast between the friendly neighbor they knew and the serious allegations now facing him in court.