Boulder Terror Attack: A Detailed Account of the June 1, 2025 Incident

On June 1, 2025, the vibrant Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, Colorado, a popular pedestrian area near the University of Colorado, became the scene of a horrific act of violence. A peaceful demonstration organized by the group "Run for Their Lives," which gathers weekly to raise awareness for Israeli hostages held in Gaza, was targeted in what the FBI has classified as a "targeted terror attack." The suspect, 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, an Egyptian national, allegedly used Molotov cocktails and a makeshift flamethrower to attack the group, injuring 12 people, eight of whom were hospitalized with burns. This incident, occurring on the eve of the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, has sent shockwaves through the local and national community, raising concerns about rising antisemitic violence in the United States.

The assault took place around 1:30 p.m. local time on June 1, 2025, during a regularly scheduled event by Run for Their Lives, a grassroots organization advocating for the release of hostages held by Hamas following the group’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Approximately 30 participants, including elderly individuals aged 52 to 88, were marching silently near the Boulder County Courthouse when Soliman struck. Witnesses reported that he shouted “Free Palestine!” and phrases like “End Zionists” while hurling two lit Molotov cocktails and using an improvised flamethrower, described as a weed sprayer filled with gasoline. Video footage circulating on social media captured Soliman, shirtless and wearing sunglasses, taunting victims as smoke rose and flames spread across the ground.

Eight victims were hospitalized, with injuries ranging from minor to serious; two were airlifted to the burn unit at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora, one in critical condition but expected to survive. Four additional victims later reported minor injuries, bringing the total to 12. Among the injured was a Holocaust survivor, highlighting the attack’s targeting of the Jewish community. Soliman himself sustained minor injuries and was detained without incident at the scene before being taken to a hospital for evaluation.

Mohamed Sabry Soliman, a resident of Colorado Springs, approximately 100 miles south of Boulder, confessed to investigators that he had planned the attack for over a year. According to court documents, Soliman specifically targeted the Run for Their Lives group after learning about their activities through an online search. He told authorities he “wanted to kill all Zionist people and wished they were all dead,” though he claimed the attack was not directed at the broader Jewish community but at “the Zionist group supporting the killings of people on his land (Palestine).” Soliman admitted to researching how to make Molotov cocktails on YouTube and purchasing materials, including wine carafes and gasoline, to construct the devices. He also revealed he had taken a concealed carry class to learn how to use a firearm but resorted to incendiary devices after being unable to purchase a gun due to his immigration status.

Soliman, a husband and father of five, stated he waited until his daughter graduated high school the previous Thursday to carry out the attack, expecting to die in the process. Authorities found 16 unlit Molotov cocktails, a gasoline canister in his Toyota Prius, and a weed sprayer filled with gasoline at the scene, indicating the potential for even greater harm had first responders not intervened swiftly. Soliman’s home in Colorado Springs was searched by the FBI, and neighbors described his family as unremarkable, noting they had no prior indication of his intentions.

Soliman entered the United States in August 2022 on a B2 tourist visa, which expired in February 2023. He applied for asylum in September 2022 and was granted a work permit valid until March 2025, though his legal status remained contentious. Department of Homeland Security officials and political figures, including President Donald Trump and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, labeled him an “illegal alien,” citing his expired visa. However, as an asylum applicant, Soliman was lawfully present pending his case, a nuance that has fueled political debate.

On June 2, 2025, Soliman made his first court appearance via video from Boulder County Jail, wearing an orange jumpsuit and a bandage around his head. He acknowledged a protection order barring contact with the victims but did not enter a plea. He is being held on a $10 million bond and is scheduled to return to court on Thursday, June 5, for the formal filing of state charges.

Soliman faces a federal hate crime charge, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison when coupled with attempted murder, and 42 state felony charges, including 16 counts of attempted first-degree murder (eight for deliberation and eight for extreme indifference), six counts of first-degree assault on at-risk or elderly victims, and 16 counts of attempted possession of an incendiary device. If convicted on all state charges, he could face up to 624 years in prison, according to Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty.

The attack drew swift condemnation from local, national, and international figures. FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino labeled it a “targeted terror attack,” with the FBI investigating it as an act of ideologically motivated violence. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi vowed to hold Soliman accountable, calling the attack “antisemitic” and referencing a recent shooting of two Israeli embassy employees in Washington, D.C. President Trump, in a Truth Social post, condemned the attack, linking it to “Biden’s ridiculous Open Border Policy” and calling for the deportation of “Illegal, Anti-American Radicals.” Colorado Governor Jared Polis, who is Jewish and personally knew two victims, expressed outrage and emphasized the need for increased security at public gatherings.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar described the attack as antisemitic, with Netanyahu stating the victims were targeted “simply because they were Jews.” Democratic leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Elizabeth Warren, also condemned the attack as antisemitic, reflecting bipartisan concern over rising hate crimes. The Department of Homeland Security issued a bulletin warning of ongoing risks of violence inspired by the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The Boulder community, still reeling from a 2021 grocery store shooting that killed 10, responded with resilience. Survivor Lisa Turnquist, a Jewish participant in the march, returned to the scene to place flowers and an Israeli flag, emphasizing the group’s commitment to continue advocating for the hostages. Local authorities have increased police presence at public events to reassure residents.

From a Christian viewpoint, this tragic event in Boulder calls for reflection on the biblical call to love, peace, and justice. The Bible instructs believers to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31) and to “seek peace and pursue it” (Psalm 34:14). The targeting of individuals based on their beliefs or identity, as seen in this attack, stands in stark contrast to these principles. Christians are called to condemn hatred and violence in all forms, recognizing that every person is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and deserving of dignity and respect.

The attack also prompts Christians to pray for the victims, their families, and the broader community affected by this trauma. Scripture encourages believers to “mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15) and to intercede for those in pain. Furthermore, we are urged to pray for Soliman, as Jesus taught to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). Pray for his eyes would be open to the truth and to the unnecessary harm caused by his hateful ideology.  This does not diminish the need for justice—Romans 13:4 affirms the role of authorities in upholding the law—but it challenges believers to hold space for redemption and transformation, even for those who commit heinous acts.

The incident also underscores the importance of standing against antisemitism and all forms of prejudice. The Bible speaks of God’s covenant with Israel (Genesis 12:3) and calls Christians to support and protect the Jewish people, who have faced centuries of persecution. At the same time, Christians must advocate for peace and reconciliation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, recognizing the complexity of the issues while rejecting violence as a solution. The church can play a vital role in fostering dialogue, promoting understanding, and working toward a world where “nation will not take up sword against nation” (Isaiah 2:4).