Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Hate Crimes in Deadly Attack on Boulder, Colorado, Gathering

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Press Release Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Hate Crimes in Deadly Attack on Boulder, Colorado, Gathering Thursday, October 29, 2026 Share

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For Immediate Release Office of Public Affairs

Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 46, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, pleaded guilty in federal court today to 12 hate crimes charges for using Molotov cocktails to attack members of the group Run for Their Lives and others.

As part of the plea agreement, Soliman admitted that on June 1, 2025, he lit and threw two Molotov cocktails into a gathering of the Boulder chapter of Run for Their Lives, a group that organized walks throughout the United States to raise awareness for hostages still held after the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks in Israel. Soliman further admitted that he targeted the group because of the victims’ actual or perceived Israeli national origin and Jewish religion. The attack killed one person and caused permanent and life-threatening injuries to several others.

“No one should be subjected to violence because of their religion or national origin,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “With this plea, we hope to deliver a measure of justice to the victims and their families. The Civil Rights Division remains committed to vigorously prosecuting the perpetrators of bias-motivated violence.”

“By his own admissions, Mohamed Soliman’s hateful attack on our neighbors in Boulder was antisemitic,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado Peter McNeilly. “All Americans should feel free to pursue their faith and way of life without fear that doing so will put their personal safety at risk. Antisemitism erodes the common ties that bind our great nation together and there is no place for it in America. We are grateful for the trust and support of the victims and the Boulder community as we prosecuted this case.”

“This individual conducted a despicable attack on people he believed to be Jewish or who support Israel, and with today’s plea he is admitting his guilt,” said Assistant Director Jarod Brown of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division. “The FBI is steadfast in our commitment to protect our communities and uphold the Constitution.  We will continue to work with our Justice Department partners to ensure those who harm others or attempt to intimidate those expressing their personal views are held accountable.”

“The chaos inflicted by this defendant spread its seeds far beyond Pearl Street, Boulder, and Colorado,” said Special Agent in Charge Amanda Koldjeski of the FBI Denver Field Office. “FBI Denver is proud of the role we played in this case alongside our partners in Boulder: We do not tolerate acts of hate and terror against our neighbors. We will continue to work to keep our community safe and seek justice for victims.”

For nine of his hate crimes charges, Soliman faces a maximum penalty of life in prison, five years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. For the three other hate crimes charges, Soliman faces a maximum penalty of 50 years in prison to run consecutive to any other prison term, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Jan. 7, 2027.

The FBI Denver Field Office and the Boulder Police Department investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melissa Basche and Daniel Pastor for the District of Colorado and Trial Attorneys Sarah Howard and Khalil Quinan of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.

Updated October 29, 2026 Topics Civil Rights Hate Crimes Components Civil Rights Division Civil Rights - Criminal Section Press Release Number: 26-1284

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