The suspect charged with attacking peaceful pro-Israel demonstrators in Boulder, Colorado, earlier this month is now facing more than 60 additional counts, including two counts of first-degree murder, after one of the victims died.
The upgraded charges add to Mohamed Sabry Soliman’s 12 hate crime counts announced by the Department of Justice last week.
The Boulder County District Attorney’s Office announced the new charges on Monday after the death of Karen Diamond, who suffered severe injuries from the perpetrator’s Molotov cocktails. Diamond was one of 29 victims caught in the anti-Israel firebombing attack, which the FBI described as a “targeted terror attack.”
“Karen Diamond, 82 years old, died tragically as a result of the severe injuries that she suffered in the attack,” the district attorney’s office said in a press release, adding that it has “been in close communication with Karen Diamond’s family throughout this difficult time. The family has asked our office to share, ‘The family asks for privacy as they continue to grieve.’”
Soliman was initially charged twice with a criminal attempt to commit first-degree murder. Those two counts were revised to reflect Diamond’s death, which marked the first fatality from the incident.
First-degree murder carries life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
Soliman faces 66 additional state charges on top of the two first-degree murder charges and numerous other state and federal charges, according to the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office. The 66 new charges concern the 14 additional victims.
More charges are expected to be filed.
“I am devastated to hear of Karen Diamond’s passing,” Gov. Jared Polis (D-CO) said in a statement. “This loss is deeply felt by the Boulder community and our entire state, particularly within our strong Jewish community. My heartfelt condolences go out to her friends and family. Karen was taken from us too soon, and we mourn her loss while remembering her life and the impact she had on those who loved her.”
Soliman, a 45-year-old Colorado Springs resident, attacked Run for Their Lives, a Jewish group calling for the release of the remaining Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, on June 1 in Boulder. He wielded Molotov cocktails and a makeshift flamethrower, injuring multiple people and a dog. He reportedly shouted “Free Palestine” as he ambushed the crowd.
ACTIVIST GROUP HELPS CONVICTED CHILD RAPIST EVADE ICE AGENTS
The suspect was arrested near the crime scene. Investigators say he admitted guilt and showed no remorse for his violent actions.
Soliman pleaded not guilty to the 12 federal hate crime charges last week and is expected to appear in court for his state case on July 15.