The suspect in a violent attack at a pro-Israel rally in Boulder over the weekend had reportedly overstayed his visa and was living in the United States unlawfully, federal officials confirmed, reigniting a contentious debate over immigration enforcement and national security.
Mohamed Sabry Soliman, a 45-year-old Egyptian national, was taken into custody after allegedly assaulting participants at a peaceful demonstration using incendiary devices and what police described as a makeshift flamethrower.
The June 1 rally was organized to draw attention to Israeli hostages held by Hamas and featured a public display of support for Jewish victims of terrorism.
Authorities said eight individuals, ranging in age from 52 to 88, were injured in the attack.
Witnesses reported that Soliman approached the crowd shouting pro-Palestinian slogans before igniting several devices and causing panic among the attendees.
One of the victims was a Holocaust survivor, according to those familiar with the case, heightening the emotional impact within the Jewish community.
The FBI and local officials are treating the assault as an act of ideologically motivated terrorism.
BREAKING: According to three senior Department of Homeland Security sources, the Boulder attack suspect is an Egyptian national who entered the United States illegally on a visa that expired during the Biden administration.
Fox News reports that Mohamed Sabry Soliman arrived at… pic.twitter.com/9rgKw9paRG
— OSINT Europe 🇪🇺 (@Osinteurope) June 2, 2025
While Soliman’s exact motives remain under investigation, law enforcement officials said the incident bore the hallmarks of targeted political violence.
Immigration records show that Soliman entered the U.S. in August 2022 on a temporary tourist visa, which expired in February 2023 under the former Biden administration.
He applied for asylum that fall and was granted a work permit in March 2023. That permit expired in March of this year, yet he remained in the country.
The revelation has drawn criticism from conservative lawmakers and immigration advocates who argue that the current system lacks the oversight needed to prevent dangerous individuals from remaining in the United States unlawfully.
Critics have pointed to the ease with which Soliman was able to acquire a work permit despite overstaying his visa as evidence of systemic vulnerabilities.
Soliman is being held at the Boulder County Jail on multiple felony charges, including attempted murder and assault. His bond has been set at $10 million.
Officials said they are still working to determine whether he acted alone or had ties to any broader networks.
The attack has shocked residents in Boulder, a city known for its progressive politics and relative calm, and spurred renewed calls from some lawmakers for tighter scrutiny of visa overstays and asylum applications.
While authorities stress that most visa overstays are not connected to violence, the case has become a flashpoint in the national conversation about immigration and homeland security.
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