Boulder terror suspect was prevented from buying gun due to immigration status

Illegal immigrant Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, who admitted he was planning to carry out the attack a year in advance, also told detectives that he was planning to make the attack a mass shooting. He had even taken a concealed-carry course to learn how to handle a firearm, according to the New York Post.

However, his attempt to purchase a gun was thwarted due to his status in the country illegally after the expiry of his visa, Boulder Judicial District Attorney Michael Dougherty said. Soliman, who is facing a total of 624 years behind bars, appeared in court on Monday afternoon, where he said he understood the orders placed against him involving the 12 victims. It was initially reported that there were eight people injured in the attack before four others came forward with injuries.

Soliman is facing 16 counts of attempted murder, which could result in a prison sentence of up to 384 years if convicted. He also faces 48 years for deploying two Molotov cocktails and another 192 years for allegedly attempting to use 16 additional incendiary devices found nearby. He has also been hit with federal hate crime charges.

Two of the victims were hospitalized and one was in critical condition from burn injuries. Soliman was caught on camera with Molotov cocktails in hand as burn victims were around him on Sunday. Witnesses had said that he attacked a number of pro-Israel demonstrators who participate in an event every week to recognize the suffering of the hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza.

The group called, "Run For Their Lives," organizes weekly events to express support for the hostages still being held. Soliman also told authorities that he wanted to "kill all Zionist people" and that he "wished they were all dead."

According to court documents, Soliman used an improvised flamethrower from a garden hose device as well as throwing two Molotov cocktails. Several others were found in his vehicle as well. He had moved to the US on a visa in 2022, which he overstayed, and then gained work authorization as a result of the Biden administration's border and immigration policies.