Karen Diamond succumbed to "severe injuries" suffered during the June 1 assault, the Boulder District Attorney's Office announced on Monday, June 30. Diamond was a member of the Congregation Bonai Shalom; she leaves behind a husband, two sons and five grandsons, according to the synagogue's rabbi, Marc Soloway.
"There are no words to express the pain of this horrific loss of our beloved member and friend," Soloway wrote in a community announcement. "This event and the tragic loss of someone who has given so much of herself over the years to the Bonai community and beyond, has impacted us all and we are sad and horrified."
Diamond is one of thirteen people who were injured when a man hurled two homemade Molotov cocktails at a group of demonstrators during their weekly walk on Boulder's Pearl Street, advocating for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza. Prosecutors previously said one victim sustained burns to 60 percent of her body. The victims range from 25 to 88 years old, including 88-year-old Holocaust survivor Barbara Steinmetz.
Authorities accuse 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman of carrying out the deadly attack. Soliman allegedly yelled "Free Palestine" during the ambush and later told police that he wanted to kill them as "revenge" against Zionists for the Israeli-Palestinian war, according to arrest affidavits.
Mohamed Sabry Soliman of Colorado Springs.
Boulder Police Department
In total, 29 people and one dog were caught in the firebombing, though only thirteen victims suffered physical injuries, according to the District Attorney's Office. Diamond's death and the identification of additional victims have resulted in more criminal charges for Soliman.
Soliman now faces two counts of first-degree murder (both for Diamond, one with extreme indifference and one with intent and after deliberation); 52 counts of attempted first-degree murder; eight counts of first-degree assault; eighteen counts of attempted first-degree assault; two counts of third-degree assault; two counts of using an incendiary device; sixteen counts of attempted use of an incendiary device; and one count of animal cruelty.
"This horrific attack has now claimed the life of an innocent person who was beloved by her family and friends," District Attorney Michael Dougherty says in a statement. "Our hearts are with the Diamond family during this incredibly difficult time. Our office will fight for justice for the victims, their loved ones, and the community."
Soliman allegedly prepared eighteen Molotov cocktails and a backpack weed-sprayer filled with gasoline to ambush the group. He carried flowers and wore an orange vest to appear like a gardener as he approached, before reportedly hurling two flaming bottles at the victims. In interviews with police, Soliman said he planned the attack for over a year, searching for local Zionist groups online where he found the weekly Run for Their Lives event in Boulder.
If convicted of first-degree murder, Soliman faces life in prison without the possibility of parole. The other charges also carry lengthy sentences, including up to 48 years for each count of attempted first-degree murder, up to 32 years for each count of first-degree assault, and up to 48 years for each count of use of an incendiary device.
In addition, Soliman is being charged with twelve federal hate crime counts. He pleaded not guilty to those federal charges on June 27.
Soliman is due back in court for the state charges on July 15.
