Judge Blocks Deportation of Boulder Attack Suspect's Family Amid Ongoing Investigation

On June 1, 2025, a firebomb attack rocked Boulder, Colorado, injuring 15 people and a dog and thrusting the city into the national spotlight. The suspect, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, a 45-year-old Egyptian national, faces federal hate crime charges and state attempted murder charges for targeting demonstrators advocating for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza.

In a significant development, a federal judge has intervened to halt the deportation of Soliman's wife and five children, who were detained by U.S. immigration officials shortly after the attack. This article provides a detailed examination of the incident, the judicial ruling, and the broader implications for the community and the nation.

The Attack: A Targeted Act of Violence

The assault took place at the Pearl Street Mall, a bustling pedestrian area in downtown Boulder, during a weekly gathering organized by "Run for Their Lives," a group raising awareness about Israeli hostages held in Gaza. Witnesses reported that Soliman, shirtless and shouting "Free Palestine," approached the crowd and began hurling Molotov cocktails.

He also allegedly deployed a makeshift flamethrower fashioned from a backpack weed sprayer filled with gasoline, setting several people ablaze. The attack left 15 individuals—eight women and seven men, aged 25 to 88—and a dog injured. While all victims are expected to survive, some sustained serious burns requiring ongoing medical treatment.

Soliman was apprehended at the scene after bystanders identified him to responding officers from the Boulder Police Department. A search of the area uncovered 16 unlit Molotov cocktails and the flamethrower device, underscoring the premeditated nature of the attack.

Court documents reveal that Soliman had been planning the assault for over a year, driven by his animosity toward the demonstrators' support for Israel. In statements to investigators, he expressed a desire to "kill all Zionist people" and showed no remorse for his actions. Now held in custody, Soliman faces a federal hate crime charge and is slated to be formally charged with 16 counts of attempted murder in state court on June 5, 2025.

The Boulder community, particularly its Jewish population, has been profoundly shaken. The Boulder Jewish Community Center organized a vigil on June 4, 2025, to honor the victims and foster healing. "Healing begins with coming together in community," the center stated, reflecting a collective resolve to support those affected. Colorado Governor Jared Polis condemned the attack, declaring, "We stand with the Jewish community and the people of Colorado against hate and terror."

Judicial Intervention: Blocking the Family's Deportation

In the wake of the attack, Soliman's family—his wife, Hayem El Gamal, and their five children, all Egyptian citizens—became embroiled in a legal battle over their immigration status. On June 3, 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

(ICE) detained the family, and the White House signaled that their deportation was imminent. However, on June 4, 2025, U.S. District Judge Gordon P. Gallagher issued an emergency order halting the process, prohibiting their removal from the District of Colorado or the United States until further notice.

Judge Gallagher's ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed by the family's legal team, who argued that deporting them without due process would cause "irreparable harm" and violate their constitutional rights. The family had arrived in the U.S. in August 2022 on tourist visas, which expired in February 2023. Soliman subsequently applied for asylum, including his wife and children in the application, which remains pending.

Although their visas had lapsed, their asylum claim legally permitted their presence in the country. The lawyers contended that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) lacked the authority to expedite their deportation, especially given their cooperation with authorities—El Gamal had turned over Soliman's iPhone, which contained messages he left for his family.

The judge emphasized the need for a fair hearing, scheduling a follow-up on June 13, 2025, to address the case further. The family's detention in Florence, Colorado, had initially included plans for their transfer to a facility in Texas, a move now paused by the court order. Soliman told detectives that his family had no knowledge of his attack plans, a claim supported by El Gamal's reported shock upon learning of his arrest.

Immigration Debate and Political Fallout

The incident has reignited debates over U.S. immigration policies, with Soliman's family at the center of the controversy. DHS confirmed that Soliman was in the country illegally at the time of the attack, having overstayed his visa. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem vowed that Soliman's "despicable actions will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," adding that the investigation would scrutinize any potential involvement by his family—though no evidence of their complicity has emerged.

President Donald Trump seized on the case to criticize past administrations, posting on Truth Social, "This is yet another example of why we must keep our Borders SECURE, and deport Illegal, Anti-American Radicals from our Homeland." Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed calls for stricter immigration controls, particularly for visa overstays and perceived security threats. Conversely, immigration advocates and legal experts have defended the family's rights, arguing that their asylum application entitles them to due process under U.S. and international law.

The tension between national security and constitutional protections has placed the case under intense scrutiny, with implications that extend beyond Boulder. The judge's decision highlights the delicate balance authorities must strike in responding to such incidents.

Community Resilience and the Path Forward

As the investigation progresses, Boulder residents have rallied to support the victims. The Boulder Jewish Community Center plans to proceed with the 30th annual Boulder Jewish Festival on June 8, 2025, with bolstered security measures. "Safety and security are our top priority," the center affirmed, encouraging vigilance while reaffirming community strength. Three victims remain hospitalized at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital, including an 88-year-old Holocaust survivor whose survival adds a poignant layer to the tragedy.

Law enforcement has found no indication that Soliman had accomplices, reinforcing the belief that he acted alone. The focus now shifts to the legal proceedings—both Soliman's criminal case and his family's immigration battle. The judge's temporary order ensures that the latter will receive thorough consideration, a process that will likely influence broader discussions on immigration policy.

The Boulder terrorist attack and the subsequent judicial ruling blocking the deportation of Soliman's family underscore the multifaceted challenges posed by such events. As the community heals and the nation watches, the case serves as a crucible for issues of justice, security, and human rights. The coming weeks will reveal how these tensions are resolved, offering clarity for the victims, the suspect's family, and a society grappling with the aftermath of violence.