Boulder attack suspect faces 118 state-level criminal charges

The man accused of attacking a group of demonstrators with incendiary devices on Boulder’s Pearl Street Mall returned to court on Thursday, where prosecutors charged him with 118 criminal counts that could add up to a prison sentence of hundreds of years.

The suspect, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, appeared for a brief administrative hearing at the Boulder County Jail. A preliminary hearing in his state case was set for July 15.

Three victims in the attack remained hospitalized as of Thursday, Boulder officials said, while other victims met with law enforcement at the Boulder County Justice Center. Authorities have identified a total of 15 victims in the attack, some of whom experienced an attempted assault and did not sustain injuries.

Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty said in a news conference following the hearing that the charges against the defendant include 14 counts of attempted murder with intent, and 14 counts of attempted murder with extreme indifference. Other charges include attempted assault, the use of an incendiary device and the attempted use of an incendiary device, as well as an animal cruelty charge for a dog that sustained injuries during the attack.

“The charges reflect the evidence that we have regarding this horrific attack that took place, and the seriousness of it,” Dougherty said.

The suspect allegedly told police that he targeted a demonstration on Boulder’s Pearl Street Mall held by Run For Their Lives, which organizes events calling for the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, because he wanted to “kill all Zionist people.”

He also faces a federal hate crime charge, and is set to make his first appearance in federal court on Friday. Additional federal charges are expected to follow.

Federal authorities say the suspect, a Colorado Springs resident, was living in the U.S. unlawfully after overstaying a visa that expired in 2023. A federal judge in Denver has temporarily blocked the deportation of his wife, Hayam El Gamal, and their five children, after the Department of Homeland Security announced that it had taken them into custody and was “processing (them) for removal proceedings from the U.S.”

Dougherty said that he was “absolutely committed” to fully prosecuting the defendant in the U.S.

“Obviously, making sure he remains in the country is a top priority, so that he can be fully prosecuted and held fully responsible,” Dougherty said. “And I know the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Federal Bureau investigation and the Boulder Police Department — not to speak for them, but I think we’re all equally committed to that goal.”

Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said during Thursday’s press conference to expect enhanced security and a “very visible law enforcement presence” at Sunday’s Boulder Jewish Festival, which was planned long in advance of the attack and will take place on the same block of the Pearl Street Mall where it occurred.

“We are bringing in SWAT elements, we will have drones, we will have a lot of people there,” Redfearn said. “We want people to feel safe, we want people to feel at ease, and right now the best way we can do that is ensure that we have a large number of officers there to be ready to respond to anything.”