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Authorities have confirmed that the man who carried out a violent attack on a pro-Israel demonstration in Boulder, Colorado, using a makeshift flamethrower and incendiary devices, is an Egyptian national who was in the US illegally.

Some shit you should know before you read: Yesterday at approximately 1:26 p.m. local time, a peaceful pro-Israel demonstration in downtown Boulder, Colorado, was violently attacked. As participants walked near the Boulder County Courthouse on Pearl Street, an individual launched a makeshift flamethrower and threw incendiary devices into the crowd, setting multiple people on fire. Witnesses said the attacker shouted “Free Palestine” and “End Zionist!” during the assault. Eight people, ranging in age from 52 to 88, were injured in the attack, with several hospitalized for burns and two remaining in critical condition.

What’s going on now: In a notable development, authorities have confirmed that the attacker, Mohamed Soliman, was in the US illegally at the time of the attack. Soliman, a 45-year-old Egyptian national, originally entered the country in August 2022 on a B2 tourist visa. The following month, he applied for asylum, which allowed him to remain in the US while his case was pending. Although his tourist visa expired in February 2023, he was granted a work permit that extended his legal stay. However, that permit expired on March 28, 2024, after which he remained in the country unlawfully.

Following news that the attacker was in the US illegally, President Donald Trump publicly blamed the incident on President Joe Biden’s immigration policies. In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “Yesterday’s horrific attack in Boulder, Colorado, WILL NOT BE TOLERATED in the United States of America. He came in through Biden’s ridiculous Open Border Policy, which has hurt our Country so badly. He must go out under ‘TRUMP’ Policy.”

Trump added, “This is yet another example of why we must keep our Borders SECURE, and deport Illegal, Anti-American Radicals from our Homeland. My heart goes out to the victims of this terrible tragedy, and the Great People of Boulder, Colorado!”