Federal authorities say the man arrested for a suspected terrorist attack in Boulder, Colorado, on Sunday was prepared to conduct mass murder using homemade explosive devices and a self-fashioned “flamethrower.”
In addition, the FBI says that the suspect, Mohamed Soliman, an Egyptian national in the U.S. illegally, admitted that he intended to “kill” as many “Zionists” as possible at a demonstration to free Israeli hostages that he intentionally targeted.
As reported by Fox News’ Kayleigh McEnany during Monday’s edition of “Outnumbered,” Soliman was found to have had 14 Molotov cocktails on his person along with the flamethrower that he used to injure eight people, at least one critically.
He told authorities he wanted to “kill all Zionist people” and said he wished “they were all dead.”
The FBI has also said that Soliman’s attack has all of the hallmarks of a traditional “lone wolf” assailant, which in and of itself is worrisome.
Soliman, 45, is accused of using homemade incendiary devices to set eight people on fire during a daytime attack at Boulder’s Pearl Street Mall, where the victims had gathered to advocate for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, Fox News noted.
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Video footage shows a shirtless man, believed to be Soliman, standing threateningly while holding two additional devices after the initial assault, as bystanders recorded the scene. Authorities soon arrived and took him into custody without further incident.
“From a behavioral and psychological profiling perspective, this suggests impulsive extremism or a desire for martyrdom rather than escape or survival,” Jason Pack, a retired FBI supervisory special agent, told the outlet.
At one point during the attack, Soliman reportedly yelled, “Free Palestine.”
“These traits [are] often associated with ideologically driven lone actors. This kind of attacker typically operates without a support network but may be influenced by online propaganda or perceived injustices,” Pack said.
“The erratic behavior, crude weaponry and politically charged language point to a disorganized, emotionally unstable individual whose radicalization, if confirmed, could place the case within the growing trend of unpredictable, lone-wolf-style domestic attacks,” he added.
An arrest affidavit detailing Soliman’s interview with local law enforcement following his arrest suggests a lack of sophistication in his actions.
“During the interview, SOLIMAN stated that he researched on YouTube how to make Molotov Cocktails, purchased the ingredients to do so, and constructed them,” according to the affidavit. “He traveled to Boulder, Colorado in his vehicle with the Molotov cocktails and threw two of the cocktails at individuals participating in a pro-Israel gathering. He also stated that he picked up gas at a gas station on the way to Boulder.”
The FBI also said that the suspect left an iPhone at his Colorado Springs home with messages to his family along with a journal.
“In my years with the FBI, I’ve seen cases just like this. It’s rare, but not unheard of, for someone to act out violently in support of a cause, especially when that person feels isolated, powerless or desperate,” Pack told Fox. “Based on what we know, based on the information we know now, Soliman appears to fit the profile of a lone actor … someone with a grievance who may have felt unheard and decided to lash out.”
“This kind of violence shakes communities, and it’s not something law enforcement takes lightly,” said Pack. “One man with homemade firebombs injured nearly a dozen people. That’s why police around the country will be taking a second look at security plans for similar events, especially ones tied to Israel, Gaza or other politically charged issues.”