“They’re literally on fire,” said Omer Shachar, a co-leader of the group. “I don’t know if I can express it enough — literally on fire and trying to pull my friend out of the fire.”
Sixteen unused Molotov cocktails were found near Soliman when he was arrested. According to FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek, they were made of wine bottles and Ball jars filled with 87 octane gasoline and xylene.
Chaos and Panic at the Scene
Twelve people were injured in the attack, two of whom remain hospitalized. The victims’ ages ranged from 52 to 88, and they were all taken to local hospitals, police said.
Newly released footage shows the chaotic aftermath as bystanders rushed to help with water bottles.
Shachar described trying to subdue Soliman but backing off when it became clear the suspect had access to more incendiary devices.
“We saw that he’s approaching to a container full of bottles and realized that it’s not a good idea, so we stepped back,” said Shachar.
Ideological Motivation and Federal Charges
Soliman told investigators he wanted to “kill all Zionist people” and said he waited until his daughter graduated high school before carrying out the assault. He claimed his actions were not against Jews generally but specifically against those he believes support violence in Palestine.
