An 82 year old Colorado woman has tragically died from her injuries following a Molotov cocktail attack on Israeli hostage solidarity walkers, according to prosecutors on Monday.
Karen Diamond succumbed to the severe injuries she sustained during the June 1 incident in downtown Boulder, Colorado, while she walked to raise awareness of the plight of hostages taken by the militant group Hamas on the Oct 7th 2023 attacks on Israel, as confirmed by the local district attorney's office. The prosecution has identified 29 victims, with 13 suffering physical injuries.
Mohamed Sabry Soliman is facing a multitude of charges in state court, including attempted first-degree murder, deploying an incendiary device, and animal cruelty due to injuries sustained by a dog during the assault. He has yet to be arraigned on these charges, which now encompass first-degree murder.
The Associated Press reported it made an attempt to reach Soliman's public defender in the state case via voicemail on Monday. Typically, the office prohibits its lawyers from discussing cases with the press.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 15 to decide if there is sufficient evidence for a trial.
In a separate legal matter, Soliman faces 12 federal hate crime charges, to which he pleaded not guilty in federal court last Friday.
The Boulder Jewish Community Center leaders shared the sombre news of Diamond's death on June 25 in an email on Monday, expressing that she will be profoundly missed.
"Karen was a cherished member of our community, someone whose warmth and generosity left a lasting impact on all who knew her," stated executive director Jonathan Lev and board chair David Paul.
Diamond was a dedicated member of her synagogue and gave her time selflessly to various community initiatives, including the University of Colorado University Women's Club and a local music fest.
Following Diamond's tragic passing, Gov. Jared Polis issued a heartfelt statement on Monday, expressing his deep sorrow for a loss that will be profoundly felt by Boulder, the wider Colorado region, and the Jewish community.
"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," lamented Gov. Polis.
Diamond's grieving family has requested their privacy be respected during this painful time, shared by prosecutors.
Together with her husband, Diamond had been an active participant since the '90s in Historic Boulder, Inc, an organisation advocating for historic preservation.
The duo was known for assisting with public tours of ancient dwellings, as recalled by Melanie Muckle, the group's administrator.
"Their generosity with their time and their talent and their kindness, I can't overstate that," recounted Muckle.
In a concerning development, during a recent demonstration, it is alleged by prosecutors that Soliman, masquerading as a gardener in a construction vest, managed to infiltrate the gathering before initiating the attack.
According to investigators, Soliman confessed his objective to annihilate the attendees of the weekly event. Reportedly, he cried out "Free Palestine" whilst hurling only a fraction of the more than twenty Molotov cocktails he had amassed.
Prosecutors have now identified 29 individuals as victims of the incident, including 13 who suffered physical harm. The remaining victims were in the vicinity and are being considered as such due to the potential harm they could have faced.
The number of victims has increased from the initial count of 15, as further investigation revealed more individuals who were present at the scene.
Prosecutors contend that the victims were targeted based on their perceived or actual nationality. Notably, an attack motivated by someone's political views does not fall under the definition of a hate crime according to federal law.
Soliman revealed to investigators that he attempted to purchase a firearm but was unsuccessful due to his non-status as a "legal citizen."
According to federal authorities, the Egyptian national and his family have been residing in the US without proper documentation.
