Woman dies from injuries suffered in Boulder antisemitic attack

An 82-year-old woman who was one of the 12 victims in an attack on a gathering in support of Israeli hostages has died from her injuries in Colorado, officials say.

Karen Diamond was severely injured after the suspect, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, shouting "free Palestine" tossed Molotov cocktails at the group in what federal officials have called a "terrorist attack".

The suspect told police after he was arrested that he wanted to "kill all Zionist people", according to court documents.

Because of the death of one of the victims, prosecutors are now adding new first-degree murder charges in addition to multiple others faced by the suspect, who remains jailed.

Diamond was among the 20 or so people gathered on 1 June to participate in a Run for Their Lives gathering at Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, Colorado, to generate awareness for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza.

She died as a result of "the severe injuries that she suffered in the attack", the district attorney's office said.

"This horrific attack has now claimed the life of an innocent person who was beloved by her family and friends," District Attorney Michael Dougherty said. "Our hearts are with the Diamond family during this incredibly difficult time."

Officials say the suspect planned the attack for a year, watching videos on how to make Molotov cocktails before driving from his home in Colorado Springs to Boulder to carry out the attack.

The suspect allegedly posed as a gardener wearing a construction vest to get close to the group ahead of the attack, prosecutors say.

Near the scene of the crime, officials say they found 16 unlit Molotov cocktails in a plastic container within arm's reach, as well as a weed sprayer filled with petrol.

Last week, Mr Soliman was indicted on 12 federal hate crime counts. He also faces at least 100 state criminal charges, including attempted murder.

Mr Soliman's attorney, David Kraut, entered a not guilty plea on his behalf last week for the hate crime charges.

Federal authorities say Mr Soliman, an Egyptian national, has been living in the US illegally with his family.

Days after the attack his wife and five children were taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials.

Data from the Anti-Defamation League suggests antisemitic incidents spiked to a record level in 2023 and again in 2024.