Search Articles
BOULDER, Colo. (CN) — Prosecutors on Monday announced they are filing first-degree murder charges against a man accused of attacking Jewish demonstrators who regularly gather in Boulder, Colorado.
“This horrific attack has now claimed the life of an innocent person who was beloved by her family and friends,” said 20th Judicial District Attorney Michael Dougherty in a statement.
Karen Diamond, 82, was one of dozens who gathered at the “Run for Their Lives” event in Boulder on June 1, held regularly to raise awareness of Israeli hostages being held captive by Hamas. She died Wednesday as a result of severe injuries she suffered from the fiery attack, marking the first fatality from the incident.
Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, was arrested after he attacked several people and a dog with homemade explosives in a park across from the Boulder County Justice Center, according to prosecutors. Prosecutors say Soliman yelled “free Palestine” as he burned demonstrators.
Once taken into custody, state court documents report that Soliman told investigators he had been planning to attack the “Zionist group” for a year, hoping to bring “vengeance for his people,” and that he learned how to make the explosives on YouTube.
An Egyptian immigrant, Soliman had been living in Colorado Springs, two hours south of Boulder. Following his arrest, Immigration and Customers Enforcement also detained Soliman’s wife and five children, despite his telling law enforcement they had been unaware of his plan.
Initially, prosecutors said Soliman attacked 15 people, aged 25 to 88, and a dog. As of Monday, prosecutors said they will pursue charges in the name of 29 identified victims, including two first-degree murder charges following Diamond’s death from related injuries.
A spokesperson for the district attorney’s office said the Diamond family intends to grieve privately.
In state court, Soliman also faces 52 counts of attempted murder after deliberation and with extreme indifference, one count of animal cruelty and more than a dozen counts of assault and possessing an incendiary device and committing a crime of violence.
“Our hearts are with the Diamond family during this incredibly difficult time. Our office will fight for justice for the victims, their loved ones, and the community,” Dougherty said in a statement.
Federal prosecutors additionally charged Soliman with nine hate crimes committed against eight victims. Eight hate crime charges relate to willfully causing bodily injury and attempting to kill, while one is for attempting to cause bodily injury with fire. Federal prosecutors additionally charged Soliman with two counts of using fire to commit a felony and one count of carrying an explosive during the commission of a felony.
Soliman pleaded not guilty to federal charges on Friday, but has not entered a plea for state charges. He is scheduled to return to state court on July 15.
Follow @bright_lampSubscribe to our free newsletters
Our weekly newsletter Closing Arguments offers the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world, while the monthly Under the Lights dishes the legal dirt from Hollywood, sports, Big Tech and the arts.