Boulder attack suspect lives in US illegally, White House says
The White House said late Sunday that the suspect arrested in connection to the attack in Boulder, Colo., is an “illegal alien” who overstayed his visa.
“A terror attack was committed in Boulder, Colorado by an illegal alien,” Stephen Miller, White House deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security adviser, said in a statement on X.
“He was granted a tourist visa by the Biden Administration and then he illegally overstayed that visa. In response, the Biden Administration gave him a work permit. Suicidal migration must be fully reversed,” he continued.
The statement from the White House came shortly after law enforcement identified the suspect arrested on Sunday as Mohamed Soliman, 45. The attack took place during a peaceful weekly gathering of individuals, walking together to demonstrate solidarity with hostages still held in Gaza by Hamas and to call for their release.
FBI special agent in charge Mark Michalek said at an evening press conference that the suspect used a “makeshift flamethrower” and incendiary devices to attack the victims and “was heard to yell ‘free Palestine,’ during the attack.”
The six victims ranged in age from 67 to 88 and all are hospitalized, with two people having been airlifted to a burn unit.
The FBI and local law enforcement said it is investigating the incident as an act of terrorism.