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NewsWPLG Local 10October 29, 2026Miami-Dade County

Mohamed Soliman to change plea to federal hate crime charges for Boulder firebombing attack

Photo: WPLG Local 10

Mohamed Soliman is scheduled to change his not guilty plea in federal court to hate crime and explosives charges related to a deadly 2023 firebombing attack in Boulder, Colorado. Soliman is already serving a life sentence after pleading guilty to state charges last year.

CrimeLegal ProceedingsFederal ProsecutionHate Crimes
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Why It Matters

The federal proceeding advances a case involving a fatal attack on demonstrators that resulted in a fatality, severe injuries, and federal hate crime counts punishable by life in prison.

Key Facts

  • Mohamed Soliman is scheduled to change his not guilty plea in federal court to federal hate crime and other charges.
  • The federal charges stem from a deadly firebombing attack targeting demonstrators in Boulder, Colorado, last year.
  • Soliman is already serving a life sentence after pleading guilty to state charges last spring.
  • The attack involved throwing two Molotov cocktails at a group marching in support of hostages taken in the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel.
  • The flames badly burned 82-year-old Karen Diamond, who died three weeks later, and injured a dozen others.
  • Federal prosecutors brought nine counts of hate crimes, two counts of using fire or an explosive to commit a felony, and one count of carrying an explosive while committing a felony.
  • Federal prosecutors declined to seek the death penalty, making the charges punishable by life in prison.
  • Federal authorities stated that Soliman planned the attack for a year and posed as a gardener to approach the demonstration on Pearl Street.
  • State prosecutors identified 29 attack victims, of whom 13 were physically injured, alongside an injured dog that led to an animal cruelty charge.
  • Soliman brought 18 Molotov cocktails to the scene in a box, but only two were thrown after he tried and failed to buy a gun.

Who's Mentioned

locationIsrael“Country referenced in relation to the demonstrators' cause and the accused's sta”OrganizationFBI“Federal agency that filed an affidavit regarding Soliman's statements.”OrganizationUniversity of Colorado“University located in Boulder.”PersonMohamed Soliman“Defendant scheduled to change his plea on federal hate crime and explosives char”locationColorado“State where the attack took place and where state charges were previously adjudi”locationGaza“Location referenced by the defendant regarding Israeli military actions.”locationFort Collins“City where the reporter filed the story from.”PersonGruver“Reporter who reported the story from Fort Collins, Colorado.”OrganizationRun for Their Lives“Demonstration group that had been marching weekly downtown.”PersonKaren Diamond“Victim who was badly burned and died three weeks after the attack.”locationDenver“Location of the federal court where Soliman is scheduled to change his plea.”locationBoulder“Colorado city where the firebombing attack occurred.”locationColorado Springs“City where Soliman was living with his family at the time of the attack.”