Colorado Alerts Federal Authorities About Failed Gun Purchase by Boulder Firebomber Months Before Attack

An Egyptian man, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, is in the news after a June 1 incident where he used Molotov cocktails, injuring 15 people at Boulder’s Pearl Street Mall. What makes this case particularly troubling is that Soliman had attempted to purchase a handgun months earlier but was denied due to his immigration status.

In November 2024, Soliman tried to buy a gun at a store in Colorado Springs. This raised alarms; the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) quickly notified the U.S. Department of Homeland Security about his status. However, there was no urgent follow-up from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at that time.

U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans criticized this in a recent press conference, suggesting that the attack could have been prevented if information had been shared effectively between local and federal agencies. He emphasized that awareness and communication could help identify potential threats.

Soliman’s background adds complexity to the situation. He entered the U.S. in 2022 on a tourist visa that expired in February 2023. He was granted temporary work permission in March 2023, but that too had expired. At the time of the attack, he was living in the U.S. without legal status.

According to CBI spokesperson Rob Low, any denial of a gun purchase based on immigration status triggers an alert to ICE. But with laws limiting information sharing between state agencies and immigration authorities, it creates gaps. Recent data indicated that ICE struggles with limited resources, often failing to act even when they receive notifications from local law enforcement, which raises questions about accountability and public safety.

Historically, debates around such cases often spark discussions about immigration policies. The concept of "sanctuary" states—those that protect undocumented immigrants from federal enforcement—adds another layer of difficulty. Colorado recently found itself categorized as a sanctuary jurisdiction, which put it at odds with the previous administration’s stance on immigration enforcement.

Public concern around incidents like this often trends on social media, highlighting worries about safety and how laws impact communities. Some advocates argue that better communication and policy reform are essential to avoid future tragedies.

In the aftermath of this incident, it’s crucial to examine how laws and policies can be adjusted so that authorities can better respond to potential threats without compromising individual rights. By understanding the complexities behind such events, we can take steps to prevent them in the future.

For more information on immigration and gun control policies, visit the Pew Research Center.

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