Marco Rubio Sends Warning to ‘Terrorists’ After Boulder Attack
“We will find you,” Rubio said.
Jonathan Ernst/REUTERS
Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a warning Monday about the immigration status of “terrorists” and their family members after Sunday’s antisemitic attack in Colorado.
“In light of yesterday’s horrific attack, all terrorists, their family members, and terrorist sympathizers here on a visa should know that under the Trump Administration we will find you, revoke your visa, and deport you,” Rubio wrote on X.
On Sunday, a man in Boulder, Colorado allegedly used a flamethrower and Molotov cocktails to set people on fire during a gathering for hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. The number of victims currently stands at 12, including an 88-year-old Holocuast refugee. Two victims were still hospitalized as of Monday afternoon.
The suspect, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, told investigators he “wanted to kill all Zionist people.”
Soliman had overstayed his B2 visa, which expired in February 2023, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin wrote on X. Soliman is an Egyptian national, law enforcement told CNN and other outlets.
Multiple people were burned in an attack during a vigil calling on Hamas to release Israeli hostages.
Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Gr/Denver Post via Getty Images
Soliman prepared for the attack for over a year and “planned on dying” during it, according to the arrest warrant.
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“He said he had to do it, he should do it, and he would not forgive himself if he did not do it,” the warrant read.
Elizabeth Brockway/The Daily Beast
Soliman faces 16 counts of attempted first degree murder, which carries a maximum sentence of 384 years. Other charges relate to the use of attempted use of an incendiary device. His bail was set at $10 million.
Despite what Rubio implied in his social media post, Justice Department prosecutors filed one hate crime charge but no terrorism-related charge.
At Monday’s press conference, FBI special agent Mark Michalek said Soliman appears to have acted alone, but the agency will continue to investigate.
“If we uncover evidence that others knew of this attack or supported the subject in this attack, rest assured that we will aggressively move to hold them accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” Michalek said.
An affidavit for the federal hate crime charge obtained by the Associated Press shows that Soliman lived in Colorado Springs with his wife and five children. Their immigration status wasn’t immediately clear.
Michalek said Soliman’s family was “cooperative” during a search of his residence Sunday night.
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