Latest news with #BoulderPoliceDepartment
New York Post
8 hours ago
- New York Post
Accused Colorado firebomber pleads not guilty to hate crimes at demonstration for Israeli hostages
A man accused of hurling Molotov cocktails at a group of people who were demonstrating in Boulder, Colorado, in support of Israeli hostages pleaded not guilty Friday to federal hate crime charges. Mohamed Sabry Soliman was indicted earlier this week on 12 hate crime counts in the June 1 attack. He is accused of trying to kill eight people who were hurt by the Molotov cocktails and others who were nearby. Soliman's attorney, David Kraut, entered the not guilty plea on Soliman's behalf during a quick hearing. 3 In this booking photo released on June 2, 2025, by the Boulder Police Department, Mohamed Sabry Soliman is seen at the Boulder County Jail on June 1, 2025, in Boulder, Colorado. Boulder County Sheriff's Office/AFP via Getty Images Magistrate Judge Kathryn Starnella noted that lawyers had acknowledged that a plea agreement in the case was possible later. Soliman, wearing a khaki jail uniform, entered the courtroom smiling and holding an envelope in his handcuffed hands. His right hand and arm were wrapped in a thick bandage as they were when he appeared in court last week, when an investigator testified that Soliman had burned himself as he threw the second of two Molotov cocktails at the group. He listened to a translation of the hearing provided by an Arabic interpreter through headphones. He did not speak during the hearing. Investigators say Soliman told them he intended to kill the roughly 20 participants at the weekly demonstration on Boulder's Pearl Street pedestrian mall. But he threw just two of his over two dozen Molotov cocktails while yelling 'Free Palestine.' 3 Investigators say Soliman told them he intended to kill the roughly 20 participants at the demonstration. Soliman, who is also being prosecuted in state court for attempted murder and other charges, told investigators he tried to buy a gun but was not able to because he was not a 'legal citizen.' He posed as a gardener, wearing a construction vest, to get close to the group before launching the attack, according to court documents. He was also indicted for using fire and an explosive to attack the group and for carrying an explosive, which were included in the hate crime counts. Federal authorities say Soliman, an Egyptian national, has been living in the U.S. illegally with his family. 3 Soliman posed as a gardener, wearing a construction vest, to get close to the group before launching the attack, according to court documents. CBS News Soliman is being represented in state and federal court by public defenders who do not comment on their cases to the media. Prosecutors say the victims were targeted because of their perceived or actual national origin. At a hearing last week, Kraut, Soliman's defense attorney, urged Starnella not to allow the case to move forward. Kraut said the alleged attack was not a hate crime. He said it was motivated by opposition to Zionism, the movement to establish and sustain a Jewish state in Israel. An attack motivated by someone's political views is not considered a hate crime under federal law.
UPI
2 days ago
- Politics
- UPI
Colorado terror attack suspect charged with 18 hate crime counts
Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, was charged in state and federal court, including 18 U.S. counts of a federal hate crime near the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, Colo., on June 1. Photo by Boulder Police Department | License Photo June 25 (UPI) -- The 45-year-old man accused of using a flamethrower and Molotov cocktails to burn people demonstrating in support of Israeli hostages in Boulder, Colo., has been charged with 12 counts of hate crime, according to the Justice Department on Wednesday. Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, earlier was charged with a single hate crime count for the June 1 attack on Run for Their Lives during a pro-Israel demonstration at Port Street Mall, DOJ said. He also faces 118 charges in state court, including attempted murder. If convicted in federal court, Soliman could face the maximum sentence of life in prison. In the indictment, which was unsealed one day later on Wednesday and obtained by Axios, he has been charged with nine federal counts of violence against individuals because of actual or perceived race, color, religion or national origin, and three counts involving fire or explosives to commit a felony. The Colorado Springs resident was booked into the Boulder County jail after the attack near the county courthouse. On June 2, state bond was set at $10 million and the same day he was charged with a federal crime. According to the federal indictment, Soliman told FBI investigators that he viewed "anyone supporting the exist [sic] of Israel on our land" to be "Zionist." The defendant said that he decided to take "revenge from these people." Soliman said that he learned of Run for Their Lives through internet searches for "Zionist" events and that he identified the "Zionist" group when he saw the flags and signs they carried at the courthouse. At least 15 people were injured. Two were airlifted to a hospital in Aurora near Denver, an FBI official said. Boulder is 30 miles north of Denver. Soliman, an Egyptian national, entered California in August 2022 on a B2 visa that expired in February 2023 and his asylum claim was pending, said Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. "The Colorado Terrorist attack suspect, Mohamed Soliman, is illegally in our country," she said in a post on X. "He filed for asylum in September 2022." He reportedly lived in Kuwait for 17 years before moving to Colorado. Soliman entered the park carrying a backpack weed sprayer that contained a flammable liquid and a black plastic container that held at least 18 glass bottles and jars. They all contained a flammable liquid and several had red rags stuffed through the top to act as wicks, commonly referred to as Molotov cocktails. At approximately 1:30 p.m., Soliman approached the Run for Their Lives group and threw two Molotov cocktails that he had ignited, according to the indictment. When throwing one of the Molotov cocktails, he shouted, "Free Palestine!" Later, a handwritten document was recovered from the vehicle driven by Soliman. The document included the following statements: "Zionism is our enemies until [sic] Jerusalem is liberated and they are expelled from our land," and also described Israel as a "cancer entity." His family, including his wife and five children, were detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement for expedited deportation from Dilley, Texas, the Department of Homeland Security said. On June 4, a federal judge temporarily blocked the deportations. The family's case was subsequently transferred to the Western District of Texas, where a federal judge on June 18 extended the temporary restraining order.
Time of India
19-06-2025
- Time of India
New Shedeur Sanders clip raises eyebrows over celebrity treatment by officers
Earlier this week, people were surprised when body cam footage of Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders was released on a police detail's online site. The video showed Shedeur Sanders getting pulled over for speeding and quickly went viral on social media. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now What stood out for a lot of viewers was how calm and polite the entire stop was between Shedeur Sanders and the officer. The stop had taken place previously some months ago but the video was not made public until this week. When the video was released it caught a lot of attention by fans, news stations, and sports sites amplifying the street-cred of Shedeur Sanders and raising conversations like "how could he be that calm?", and "why was he so respectful?". Shedeur Sanders calmly converses with officer during stop According to local police reports, on January 6, 2024, Shedeur Sanders was stopped by police in Boulder, Colorado after going 75mph in a 35mph zone. The Boulder Police Department released the full body cam video of the traffic stop on June 17, 2025. In the video, the officer approaches Shedeur Sanders' black Dodge Durango. He asks Shedeur Sanders for his license along with proof of registration. Shedeur Sanders politely obliges and provides both documents. The officer told Shedeur Sanders why he pulled him over and said, "That's way too fast, man." Shedeur Sanders silently nods along and remains respectful. The video shows the officer returning a few minutes later to give Shedeur Sanders a speeding ticket. Shedeur Sanders responds, "I understand, is everything else ok." The officer responds, "yes," and lets Shedeur Sanders go on his way. There were no raised voices or arguments. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The entire video lasted under five minutes and showed a simple traffic stop handled peacefully. Shedeur Sanders' name trends online after body cam video release After the video surfaced online on June 17, 2025, it got shared by many sports and news accounts. Some fans were surprised that the quarterback was so calm. Others pointed out that the officer remained polite too. According to Fox31 Denver and USA Today Sports, the footage was released in response to several public records requests. Shedeur Sanders has not publicly commented on the video yet. Shedeur Sanders, the son of head coach Deion Sanders, prepares for his last college season with Colorado Buffaloes and is considered one of the premier quarterback prospects ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft. The body cam footage is now being circulated by major news networks and several media platforms. Also Read:
CBS News
17-06-2025
- CBS News
Boulder steps up security after attack on march for Israeli hostages in Colorado
The City of Boulder is increasing security on Pearl Street after an attack on Jewish activists earlier this month. The attack happened on June 1 when a man allegedly threw Molotov cocktails at a group that walks every Sunday to advocate for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza. The safety enhancements include several items, according to the City of Boulder, including a new E-bike patrol unit dedicated to Pearl Street, a new downtown police sergeant station, and deploying more officers during peak activity periods. The Boulder Police Department has also launched the Downtown Officer Block Program, with each officer serving as a direct liaison for the businesses on their blocks located in the Business Improvement District. Crime scene tape surrounds the area on Pearl Street in Boulder where a man attacked people with Molotov cocktails. CBS City leaders said the Boulder Police Department is fully staffed for the first time in years. "Pearl Street Mall is not just the economic heart of Boulder, but it's the cultural and civic center of our community. These expanded public safety resources we've put in place — coupled with our ongoing investments in downtown infrastructure and programming — ensure Pearl Street continues to be the vibrant core of our city," said Boulder City Manager Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde in a statement. The city has also hired bathroom attendants to monitor the Pearl Street restrooms daily as well as dedicated resources to support concerns related to illegal camping within the downtown area. The city also said it has partnered with Downtown Boulder to plant dozens of new trees and conduct tree grate repairs. Crews have planned to repair and replace several broken lighting elements on the Pearl Street Mall, install new bike racks and repair some Pearl Street Mall brickwork. Crime scene tape on Pearl Street in Boulder after the attack on June 1, 2025. CBS "We know that security, cleanliness and vibrancy are core components of what makes a public space like the downtown district so special, and community engagement with the business owners who know their needs best has been incredibly helpful," said Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn. "We're continually monitoring developments in this area and are open to adjusting our protocols as new challenges emerge." The suspect in the attacks is scheduled to appear in federal court on Wednesday. Fifteen people were injured in the attack, some of them seriously.
American Military News
11-06-2025
- American Military News
‘Antisemitic terror attack' on Boulder's Pearl Street Mall planned for a year, FBI says; 4 new victims found
The man accused of injuring 12 people on Boulder's Pearl Street Mall with a 'makeshift flamethrower' and Molotov cocktails spent more than a year planning the 'targeted act of violence' against a group calling for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza, law enforcement officials said Monday. Mohammed Sabry Soliman, 45, intended to carry out a mass shooting in downtown Boulder and only switched to an explosive plan after he was denied a gun because of his immigration status, county investigators said in an arrest affidavit. Mohammed Sabry Soliman was booked into Boulder County Jail late Sunday night on suspicion of eight felonies, including murder and assault, and is being held on a $10 million bond, according to jail records. (Boulder Police Department/TNS) Police identified four additional victims in the attack on Monday, bringing the total to 12, Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty said during an afternoon briefing. The four additional victims had minor injuries, Boulder police Chief Stephen Redfearn said. Two people injured in the attack are still hospitalized. Officials could not say whether any of the victims were bystanders. Soliman drove from Castle Rock to the Pearl Street Mall armed with 18 Molotov cocktails and a backpack weed sprayer filled with gasoline that he planned to use to kill a group of demonstrators who regularly walk in front of the courthouse, according to court records. He threw two of the Molotov cocktails and police recovered another 16 at the scene, Dougherty said. Soliman, an Egyptian citizen living in Colorado illegally, was charged with a federal hate crime in Sunday's attack, according to an FBI arrest affidavit. The U.S. Department of Justice characterized the weekend incident as an 'antisemitic terror attack.' If convicted, Soliman could spend up to life in prison, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado J. Bishop Grewell said Monday afternoon. The U.S. attorney's office may file additional charges in the case, Grewell said. Soliman was also arrested on suspicion of 42 state felony charges, according to the Boulder County arrest affidavit. The state charges under investigation are: —Eight counts of attempted first-degree murder after deliberation, —Eight counts of attempted first-degree murder with extreme indifference, —Six counts of first-degree assault of an at-risk or elderly victim, —Two counts of first-degree assault, —Two counts of possession of an incendiary device, —And 16 counts of attempted possession of an incendiary device. If he is convicted on all counts, he faces up to 624 years in prison. Soliman on Monday afternoon appeared virtually in court at the Boulder County Jail for his first appearance with a bandage around his head covering both ears in an orange jumpsuit. Judge Nancy W. Salomone advised that he should have no contact with any of the victims in the case, per his protection order. She made no changes to his $10 million bail. During the hearing, the jail was on lockdown and inmates could not leave their cells to free deputies to monitor the courtroom and the jail's entrance. At least three snipers were also stationed on the roof of the jail. Boulder County prosecutors will file additional charges later this week for the four victims identified Monday, Dougherty said. Boulder police had not encountered the suspect before Sunday and he was not on the FBI's radar, Redfearn and Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek said. 'We stand united in denouncing hate, terror and violence in this community,' Dougherty said Monday afternoon. 'We stand united in condemning acts of antisemitism, hate and violence, and we're also united in a strong response to this horrific attack.' Federal officials said Soliman was living in Colorado Springs illegally with his wife and five children after overstaying a tourist visa that expired in 2023. Officials said the family cooperated with a search warrant and deferred questions about their immigration status to the Department of Homeland Security. Soliman told investigators that he waited for a year to attack the group because he wanted his daughter to graduate from high school first, according to his arrest affidavit. The group he targeted, Run for Their Lives, is a national movement calling for the release of Israeli hostages held by the terrorist group Hamas in Gaza. 'When he was interviewed about the attack, he said he wanted them all to die, he had no regrets and he would go back and do it again,' Grewell said. The Boulder chapter was hosting its weekly walk on the Pearl Street Mall, scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday, when Soliman attacked its members outside the courthouse. Soliman told federal officials he arrived at 12:55 p.m. and waited for the group to reach him, according to court documents. To get as close to the group as possible, officials said Soliman dressed like a gardener. He wore an orange vest and bought flowers from Home Depot. The attack happened just before the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, which began at sundown on Sunday. Soliman planned for more than a year and specifically targeted Boulder's Run for Their Lives chapter, which Soliman called a 'Zionist group,' federal officials said. Soliman told law enforcement 'that he wanted to kill all Zionist people and wished they were all dead,' the affidavit stated. The 45-year-old told investigators that he didn't expect to survive the attack, according to court documents. He sprayed himself with gasoline and expected to burn alongside his victims. 'No American should experience violence motivated by hatred based on their faith or national origin, and the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice will act swiftly and decisively to bring the perpetrators of such crimes to justice,' Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon said in a statement. 'There can be zero tolerance for such acts in our great nation.' The Molotov cocktails were made with bottles and jars, filled with gasoline and had red rags hanging out, according to the document. The backpack weed sprayer was found near the box of explosives. Investigators found rags, a red gas container and paperwork with the words 'Israel,' 'Palestine' and 'USAID' inside Soliman's car, which was parked behind a church at 13th and Spruce streets, the affidavit stated. ___ © 2025 MediaNews Group, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LL
