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One Year After Boulder Firebombing, Jewish Community Says It Still Feels Unsafe

Harsh state sentences have closed the criminal case while federal prosecutors continue a hate‑crime review that community leaders say shows the need for more security funding.

Overview

  • On June 1, 2025 a man threw Molotov cocktails at a Jewish gathering on Pearl Street Mall, injuring about a dozen people and causing the later death of 82‑year‑old Karen Sorin Diamond.
  • The attacker, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, was sentenced in state court on May 7, 2026 to life without parole plus an additional 2,128 years for the assault.
  • Survivors described lasting trauma in court and in interviews, saying they avoid crowds, map escape routes, and some have not returned to Pearl Street since the attack.
  • Local groups raised immediate funds and stepped up protection, with JEWISHcolorado raising more than $200,000 to aid victims and pay for security at events and synagogues.
  • Advocates point to ADL data showing a spike in antisemitic incidents in 2025 and say the case highlights the need for expanded federal security grants and legal protections as prosecutors weigh further hate‑crime action.