Boulder Attacker Mohamed Soliman Pleads Guilty to 12 Federal Hate Crimes Charges

What happened

Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 46, of Colorado Springs, admitted 12 federal hate crimes counts in court on Thursday, the Justice Department said ^[1]. Under the plea agreement, he admitted that on June 1, 2025, he ignited two firebombs and threw them at members of the Boulder chapter of Run for Their Lives who had gathered ^[1]. The group holds walks across the country to highlight the hostages taken in the October 7, 2023, attacks in Israel, the department said ^[1]. The attack left one person dead, and several more were hurt, some permanently ^[1].

How it affects Americans

The case is a federal civil rights prosecution of violence aimed at people because of faith and national origin on American soil ^[1]. By the department's account, Soliman admitted he picked the group over the victims' Jewish religion and their Israeli national origin, actual or perceived ^[1]. "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," said U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado Peter McNeilly ^[1]. Agents from FBI Denver worked the case with Boulder police, and federal prosecutors from Colorado and the Civil Rights Division brought it ^[1].

The Veil Press view

Federal officials framed the plea as a statement on bias-driven attacks. "No one should be subjected to violence because of their religion or national origin," said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon ^[1]. Jarod Brown, assistant director of the FBI's Counterterrorism Division, called it "a despicable attack on people he believed to be Jewish or who support Israel" ^[1]. "The chaos inflicted by this defendant spread its seeds far beyond Pearl Street, Boulder, and Colorado," said Amanda Koldjeski, special agent in charge in Denver ^[1].

What we know

Confirmed

• Soliman pleaded guilty to 12 hate crimes charges ^[1].
• On nine counts he could get life behind bars, plus five years of supervision and as much as $250,000 in fines ^[1].
• On each of the remaining three, he could get up to 50 years, served on top of any other term, with three years of supervision and as much as $250,000 in fines ^[1].
• He is due to be sentenced on Jan. 7, 2027 ^[1].

Still being reported

• What sentence he will receive; a federal judge will decide using the sentencing guidelines and other factors set by law ^[1].