Suspect in 'Targeted Terror Attack' on Pro-Israel Demonstration Charged With Hate Crime

A man allegedly attacked a pro-Israel rally in Boulder, Colorado, leaving eight people injured. 

The Details: Mohamed Sabry Soliman, an Egyptian national who entered the US on a tourist visa and overstayed his visit, was charged with a federal hate crime on Monday. He was reportedly heard shouting “Free Palestine” during the attack in which he used a makeshift flamethrower. Soliman was given work authorization under the Biden administration, which was valid through March of this year. The demonstrators were expressing solidarity with Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. In a statement the group said, “Run for Their Lives is an apolitical global organization with the sole mission of walking peacefully to raise awareness for the 58 hostages still held in captivity by Hamas in Gaza.” The FBI and local law enforcement are currently investigating the attack as a targeted act of terrorism.

For Context: This attack is the second suspected terror incident tied to Israel's ongoing conflict with Hamas in recent weeks. Last month, a shooter murdered two young Israeli embassy staffers outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. ICE Director Tood Lyons said the Colorado attack sparked a push to arrest all those who have overstayed their visas, saying, “We want to go ahead and make sure we take these bad actors out of the country before anything like this could happen. Under the last administration, the screening just wasn't there.”

How The Media Covered It: Outlets on the right focused on the perpetrator's immigration status, while the New York Times (Lean Left bias) and Associated Press (Left) did not mention his immigration status. The New York Times added, “The attack may intensify deep unease in the Jewish community in the United States.” While the Associated Press highlighted a pro-Palestinian protester who helped the wounded perpetrator when he caught himself on fire. The New York Times and Associated Press both quoted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and did not quote Colorado Governor Jared Polis (D), whereas Fox News (Right) and National Review (Lean Right) quoted Polis but not Netanyahu. 

Revised by the AllSides staff (of humans) after a first draft from our custom AI. Learn more. Support our mission. Suggest an improvement to this summary. Updated 6/2/25 at 2:14pm ET