DENVER (AP) Prosecutors announced Monday the death of an 82-year-old Colorado woman who was hurt in a Molotov cocktail attack on protesters in favor of Israeli hostages in Gaza.
According to a statement from the local district attorney’s office, Karen Diamond passed away as a result of serious injuries she sustained during the June 1 attack in downtown Boulder, Colorado. Thirteen of the 29 victims on the prosecutors’ list suffered physical harm.
Because a dog was injured in the attack, Mohamed Sabry Soliman was already facing hundreds of counts in state court on charges that included attempted first-degree murder, using an incendiary device, and animal cruelty. The original accusations, which now include first-degree murder, have not been arraigned against him.
On Monday, the public defender for Soliman in the state case received a voicemail from the Associated Press. Generally speaking, the office forbids its attorneys from speaking to the media about their cases. On July 15, there will be a preliminary hearing to decide whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed with the case.
In addition, Soliman faces 12 federal hate crime indictments. At a hearing in federal court on Friday, he pleaded not guilty to the counts.
Diamond passed away on June 25. Boulder Jewish Community Center leaders wrote in an email on Monday that she will be much missed.
According to executive director Jonathan Lev and board chair David Paul, Karen was a beloved member of our community whose kindness and compassion had a profound effect on everyone who knew her life.
In a statement released Monday, Governor Jared Polis expressed his sadness over Diamond’s passing and said the state, the city of Boulder, and the Jewish community would all be deeply affected.
We remember Karen’s life and the influence she had on those who loved her, and we grieve her loss because she was taken from us too soon, Polis added.
As they grieve, Diamond’s family has requested seclusion, according to the prosecution.
District Attorney Michael Dougherty said in the statement, “I know that the community will continue to unite in support of the Diamond family and all the victims of this attack.” “One of the things that makes Colorado unique is that people come together in response to a tragedy.”
Prosecutors claim that Soliman pretended to be a gardener and wore a construction vest during the demonstration in order to approach the crowd before attacking.
According to investigators, Soliman informed them that he planned to murder the attendees of the weekly protest. He tossed only two of the more than two dozen Molotov cocktails he had made while shouting, “Free Palestine.”
According to the prosecution, the victims were singled out due to their real or imagined national identity. According to federal law, an attack that is motivated by someone’s political beliefs is not a hate crime.
Soliman admitted to investigators that he attempted to purchase a firearm but was unable to do so due to his lack of citizenship. According to federal investigators, the Egyptian national and his family have been residing in the United States unlawfully.
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