Eyewitness Recalls Devastating Firebombing at Boulder Pro-Israel Rally

A horrific firebombing attack disrupted a pro-Israel rally in Boulder, Colorado, on Sunday afternoon, according to a witness who described the event as nightmarish. In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Alex Osante, a tourist from San Diego, recounted his alarming experience during the incident at the Pearl Street Mall.

Eyewitness Account of Chaos

“I was right here… front row and center to this horrific event,” Osante said. The details he provided reveal the chaotic scene that unfolded. He described how the attacker, identified as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, threw a Molotov cocktail that ignited flames on five individuals, painfully describing one victim as being lit from head to toe while others suffered severe burns.

Details on the Suspect

Soliman, 45, an Egyptian national, was in the United States illegally with an expired work visa at the time of the attack. Authorities report that he exhibited signs of radicalization prior to the incident.

The Role of Bystanders

In the immediate aftermath of the attack, Osante and other bystanders rushed to assist the victims, unaware of the true nature of the situation. Initially, Osante speculated that a mass shooting might have occurred, or even the detonation of a grenade, due to the ensuing chaos.

Recollections from the Scene

Upon reviewing his own recorded footage of the event, Osante gained clarity about the specifics of the attack. He observed that the suspect emerged from the bushes, wearing a yellow vest and shirt while brandishing Molotov cocktails in both hands.

“He threw a Molotov cocktail at a woman, but in doing so, he inadvertently lit himself on fire,” Osante recounted. The frightening antics of the suspect continued as he returned to the bushes to retrieve two more incendiary devices.

Community Response to the Attack

Despite the tragic circumstances, Osante highlighted a remarkable aspect of human resilience during the crisis. He noted that individuals from various backgrounds swiftly came together to provide support, offering water and calling emergency services to facilitate a quicker return to safety.

Rally Overview and Victims’ Conditions

The pro-Israel rally, known as the Run for Their Lives, aimed to raise awareness about Israeli hostages held by Hamas. The victims of the firebombing ranged in age from 52 to 88 years, with one individual reported in critical condition following the assault.

Legal Action and Charges Against Soliman

Soliman entered the U.S. on a non-immigrant visa in August 2022, but his visa expired in February 2023. Despite receiving a work permit in March 2023 that remained valid only until March of this year, he continued residing in the country illegally by overstaying his visa.

The suspect now faces a number of serious charges. Federally, he has been charged with committing a hate crime. In Colorado, the list of charges includes first-degree murder with deliberation, attempted murder with extreme indifference, crimes against at-risk adults and the elderly, first-degree assault motivated by passion, and unlawful use of incendiary devices during a felony.

The Aftermath and Ongoing Investigation

Following his arrest, Soliman is being held in the Boulder County Jail with a substantial bond set at 10 million dollars. The community continues to grapple with the aftermath of this shocking attack, focusing on resilience and healing.

Reflection on an Unthinkable Event

Osante, who has traveled to 87 countries, reflected on this event as the most disturbing incident he has ever encountered. He returned to the rally location the following day to witness a sense of normalcy amid the chaos of Sunday’s tragic event.

Overall, the unthinkable nature of this attack has not only left a lasting impact on the victims and witnesses but also on the broader Boulder community as they seek to understand and prevent such acts of violence in the future.