Pearl Street attack suspect Mohamed Soliman pleaded not guilty Friday morning to 12 federal hate crime charges in Boulder, Colorado. He’s accused of throwing Molotov cocktails at participants in the June 1 “Run For Their Lives” event in Boulder, which aimed to raise awareness about Israeli hostages held by Hamas, a group designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S.
The attack left 15 people and a dog injured.
According to the indictment, Soliman carried a backpack sprayer filled with flammable liquid and a black plastic container holding 18 glass bottles and jars, many with red rags inserted as wicks to make Molotov cocktails.
The 12 federal hate crime charges include nine counts under 18 U.S.C. § 249 for injuring people based on their actual or perceived race, color, religion, or national origin. The remaining three counts fall under 18 U.S.C. § 844(h) for using fire or explosives to commit a felony.
Soliman was previously indicted on June 2 for a related hate crime offense. In Boulder County Court, he also faces 118 state charges, including 28 counts of attempted murder.
The FBI and the Boulder Police Department are investigating the case. Prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado and the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are handling the prosecution.