Boulder Firebomb Attacker Pleads Guilty to Federal Hate Crimes

Mohamed Sabry Soliman pleaded guilty Thursday to federal hate crimes in the deadly firebomb attack on a gathering supporting Israeli hostages in Boulder, Colorado.

The Justice Department said the 46-year-old Colorado Springs resident admitted lighting and throwing two Molotov cocktails at members of Run for Their Lives and others on June 1, 2025. The group held regular walks to raise awareness of hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks in Israel.

As part of his plea agreement, Soliman admitted choosing his targets because of their actual or perceived Israeli national origin and Jewish religion. The attack killed one person and left several others with permanent or life-threatening injuries.

Thursday's plea is a new development in the federal case over last year's attack. A federal sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 7, 2027.

The Justice Department said nine counts carry a maximum penalty of life in prison. Three additional counts carry maximum terms of 50 years, to run consecutively to any other prison term. The judge will determine the sentence after considering federal sentencing guidelines and other legal factors.

The FBI's Denver field office and Boulder Police investigated the attack. Federal prosecutors in Colorado and the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division are handling the prosecution.