Man Admits Federal Hate Crimes in Deadly Colorado Attack

WHO:

CNN - Mohamed Soliman, an Egyptian man, pleaded guilty to federal hate-crime and weapon charges over the attack.

CNN - Karen Diamond, 82, was badly burned and died three weeks later; her family said she suffered “indescribable pain.”

CNN - Assistant US Attorney Melissa Hindman said Soliman used explosives to cause “permanent and life-threatening injuries” and Diamond’s death.

CNN - Colorado US District Judge John Kane said he had not decided on a sentence and would review sentencing guidelines.

CNN - Soliman was living with his wife and their five children in Colorado Springs when the attack occurred; the couple divorced in April.

CNN - The victims were members of the “Run for Their Lives” demonstration, which met weekly in support of hostages taken in Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.

BBC - The demonstrators were members of Run for Their Lives, which supported the release of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas.

WHAT:

CNN - Soliman pleaded guilty to nine federal hate-crime counts—one involving Diamond’s death and eight involving attempted killings—and three federal weapon counts.

CNN - Prosecutors said they would seek life in prison plus 50 years for the 12 counts. Soliman already is serving a life sentence after pleading guilty to state charges.

CNN - The attack injured 13 people, including Diamond, and an injured dog led to a state animal-cruelty charge. State prosecutors identified 29 victims, including people who could have been hurt.

CNN - Soliman brought 18 Molotov cocktails but threw two; he had twice tried to buy a gun and was denied.

CNN - He pleaded guilty to state charges in May and said, “Yes, I am against Israel and I can’t deny that. And that is my right.”

ABC News US - Soliman was expected to change his not-guilty plea to federal hate-crime and other charges.

BBC - Soliman shouted “Free Palestine” while throwing Molotov cocktails at the crowd.

WHERE:

CNN - The attack took place on Pearl Street, a pedestrian mall in Boulder, Colorado, northwest of Denver. Soliman approached the demonstration posing as a gardener.

CNN - Soliman lived in Colorado Springs and worked a series of low-paying jobs.

WHEN:

CNN - Federal prosecutors said the attack occurred in June 2025; CNN reported the federal plea hearing occurred Thursday.

CNN - Soliman’s federal sentencing was set for Jan. 7.

BBC - The attack occurred on 1 June, 2025; the demonstration supported hostages taken in the 7 October attacks.

WHY:

CNN - Prosecutors said Soliman targeted the demonstrators because they were Jewish. An FBI affidavit said he told police he wanted “to kill all Zionist people.”

CNN - Soliman questioned the deaths of civilians in Israeli attacks on Gaza and said he opposed Israel.

HOW:

CNN - Soliman lit and threw two Molotov cocktails at the demonstrators while yelling “Free Palestine.”

CNN - Authorities alleged he planned the attack for a year. He entered the United States in 2022 on a tourist visa that expired the next year, applied for asylum, and received work authorization that later expired.

(UPDATED October 29, 2026 22:05 UTC)

Mohamed Soliman pleaded guilty to federal hate-crime and weapons charges for attacking a Jewish hostage-support demonstration in Boulder with Molotov cocktails, injuring 13 people. Prosecutors said he targeted the demonstrators because they were Jewish; 82-year-old Karen Diamond died three weeks after suffering severe burns, and prosecutors will seek life in prison plus 50 years. Soliman is already serving a life sentence on state charges, and a federal judge has not yet decided his sentence.