- Suspect denied handgun purchase in November 2024 through federal background check system
- 16 attempted murder charges filed for alleged attack during Gaza hostage demonstration
- Authorities discovered 87 octane gasoline/xylene Molotov cocktails at arrest site
- Family detained by ICE amid investigation into potential complicity
New details reveal Mohamed Sabry Soliman’s escalating path to violence began months before Sunday’s Boulder attack. The 45-year-old Egyptian national attempted to purchase a handgun on November 22, 2024, according to Colorado Bureau of Investigation records. While officials haven’t disclosed specific reasons for the denial, federal databases flagged prohibitive factors that prevented the transaction. This rejection came six months after his work authorization expired, leaving him ineligible for legal firearm ownership under U.S. immigration statutes.
Security analysts note this case exposes vulnerabilities in tracking expired visa holders. Unlike Denver’s 2023 airport security breach involving an overstayed student visa, Boulder’s incident highlights challenges monitoring individuals between status changes. Department of Homeland Security protocols now face scrutiny for allowing eight months of unauthorized residency before Sunday’s violence. Regional comparisons show Colorado’s expired visa tracking lags behind Texas’ biometric exit systems implemented after the 2022 San Antonio mall attack.
Court documents reveal Soliman allegedly spent a year planning the assault, strategically timing it after his daughter’s high school graduation. Investigators found 16 unlit Molotov cocktails containing xylene-enhanced gasoline within arm’s reach during his arrest. Forensic chemists explain xylene increases fuel volatility – a tactic previously seen in 2022 Portland anarchist attacks. This development suggests premeditated escalation beyond typical protest violence, with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem labeling it “calculated domestic terrorism.”
The case’s international dimensions complicate prosecution efforts. Soliman’s 17-year residency in Kuwait prior to entering Colorado raises questions about radicalization timelines. ICE’s expedited removal proceedings for his wife and five children mark the first use of 2024 terrorism-related deportation protocols in the Rocky Mountain region. Legal experts anticipate defense challenges regarding the NICS denial’s impact on suspect psychology and alleged confession reliability.
Firearm policy advocates cite this case to strengthen Colorado’s red flag laws. While current statutes prevented Soliman’s handgun purchase, critics argue failed permit applications should trigger automatic mental health evaluations. Data shows 68% of denied Colorado firearm applicants since 2023 never underwent required psychiatric assessments – a gap Boulder officials now urgently address through proposed Bill SB-2428.
