The man accused of throwing a Molotov cocktail at a group participating in a peaceful demonstration on the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder Sunday, injuring 12, filed an asylum claim in September 2022 after coming into the United States on a visitor visa the month before, federal officials said.

Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, was booked into the Boulder County jail late Sunday night after the attack, which federal authorities initially called an “act of terrorism.” That night, FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino confirmed on social media that federal agents were investigating the attack as being “ideologically motivated.”

Boulder attack suspect charged with federal hate crime

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson confirmed Soliman was in the country illegally at the time of the attack. He entered the country in August 2022 on a B2 visa that expired in February 2023. He filed for asylum in September 2022, DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin stated in a social media post Monday morning. Soliman was then granted a work authorization in March 2023 that had expired.

A B2 visa is a nonimmigrant visa for someone who wants to enter the country temporarily for tourism. Soliman is reported to be an Egyptian national.

Officials say Soliman is from Colorado Springs. The FBI and other law enforcement officers gathered at a house off the east side of Colorado Springs on Sunday evening where local records indicate Soliman may have lived to execute a search warrant. During a Monday afternoon press conference, law enforcement officials confirmed digital evidence was obtained from the house and family members inside were cooperative.

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office reported the agency received three non-criminal calls for service — a juvenile contact and two 911 hang-up calls — to the residence on Washo Circle since December 2022. The Sheriff’s Office also reported deputies had four contacts involving Soliman, all of which were traffic stops.

According to an arrest affidavit filed Monday, Soliman lived at the Colorado Springs residence with his wife and five children and traveled to Boulder to carry out the attack by himself. After his arrest, his wife was spotted leaving the home and going to a Colorado Springs police station, the affidavit states.

Soliman was charged with a federal hate crime involving “actual or perceived race, religion or national origin” in Sunday’s attack, according to an FBI affidavit.

The U.S. Department of Justice characterized the weekend incident as an “antisemitic terror attack.”

Soliman was also arrested on suspicion of 42 state felony charges, according to the Boulder County arrest affidavit. The state charges under investigation include:

Eight counts of attempted first-degree murder after deliberation,

Eight counts of attempted first-degree murder with extreme indifference,

Six counts of first-degree assault of an at-risk or elderly victim,

Two counts of first-degree assault,

Two counts of possession of an incendiary device,

And 16 counts of attempted possession of an incendiary device.

If he is convicted on all counts, he faces up to 624 years in prison.

As of Monday, it remains unclear the specific charges Soliman will face on the state level, but officials anticipate formal charges will be filed this week. The Boulder County jail lists him as being held on $10 million cash-only bond .

Boulder attack suspect charged with federal hate crime

Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade issued a statement Monday afternoon “condemning” the attack.

“I am heartbroken by the horrific attack and violence that struck in the city of Boulder on Sunday,” Mobolade said. “Our hearts, minds, and prayers are with the victims and their families.”

“There is no place for hate or antisemitism in our communities, and I am grateful to law enforcement and first responders for their swift action and continued investigation.”

The attack occurred just before 1:30 p.m. Sunday near 13th and Pearl streets during a weekly event called the “peaceful humanitarian walk for hostages,” organized by the group Run For Their Lives, which raises awareness about Israeli hostages held in Gaza.

Witnesses say a man was waiting near the historic courthouse with bottles in hand. He allegedly shouted “free Palestine” and threw what officials described as a makeshift flamethrower or Molotov cocktail into the crowd.

According to federal investigators, Soliman previously attempted to purchase a gun to carry out the attack, but was unable to due to his lack of citizenship.

Initially, eight people between the ages of 52 and 88 were reported to be injured. The Boulder Police Department on Monday said the number of victims increased to 12, but no deaths were reported.

Some victims suffered burns and were transported to Denver-area hospitals. UCHealth’s University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora confirmed it received two patients who were airlifted from the scene.

The affidavit states well over a dozen more Molotov cocktails were recovered as well as containers carrying 87 octane gasoline. During an interview with the FBI, Soliman had no regrets, stating he would conduct an attack again and planned Sunday’s for a year, only waiting until his daughter graduated high school to take action.

“Throughout the interview, (Soliman) stated that he hated the Zionist group and did (the attack) because he hated this group and needed to stop them from taking over “our land,” which he explained to be Palestine,” the affidavit reads.

During Monday’s press conference, acting U.S. Attorney for the state of Colorado J. Bishop Grewell was questioned about the federal charges, specifically the lack of a terrorism charge. Grewell said it was important to get charges filed quickly, but more may be tacked on as the investigation continues.