Suspect in Colorado attack on Israeli hostage advocates charged with attempted murder

A man who shouted "free Palestine" and used a "makeshift flamethrower" on demonstrators marching in support of Israeli hostages held by Hamas was charged Monday with attempted first-degree murder.

A man who shouted "free Palestine" and used a "makeshift flamethrower" on demonstrators marching in support of Israeli hostages held by Hamas was charged Monday with attempted first-degree murder.

The state of Colorado's charges against Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, of El Paso County, include attempted first-degree murder after deliberation, attempted first-degree murder with extreme indifference, first-degree assault, including such against an at-risk victim older than 70, and possession of an incendiary device.

Michael Dougherty, district attorney for the Boulder area, said at a news conference that a forthcoming formal filing of charges will reflect the latest victim count, which rose to 12 on Monday. Authorities initially said eight people were hospitalized with burns and other impacts from the attack.

The U.S. Attorney for Colorado also charged Soliman with one count of a hate crime involving actual or perceived race, religion or national origin.

An attorney representing Soliman in the state case did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday night. It's not clear if he has a lawyer specifically for his federal case, but the Office of the Federal Public Defender says it does not comment on its cases.