Karen Diamond, 82, dies of wounds sustained in Colorado attack on march for hostages
Horrified Jewish community mourns ‘cherished’ member, who dies weeks after suffering severe wounds in firebombing of pro-Israel rally
An 82-year-old Colorado woman who was injured in a Molotov cocktail attack on demonstrators in support of Israeli hostages in Gaza has died, US prosecutors said Monday.
Karen Diamond died as a result of severe injuries she suffered in the June 1 attack in downtown Boulder, Colorado, the local district attorney’s office said in a statement. Prosecutors have listed 29 victims, including 13 who were physically injured.
The alleged assailant, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, already faced dozens of counts in state court on charges including attempted first-degree murder, using an incendiary device, and animal cruelty because a dog was hurt in the attack. He has not been arraigned on the initial charges that now include first-degree murder.
A preliminary hearing to determine whether there is enough evidence to move forward with the case is set for July 15. Separately, Soliman has been indicted on 12 federal hate crime counts. He entered a not guilty plea to those charges during a hearing Friday in federal court.
As news of Diamond’s passing broke, several local and national Jewish organizations released statements expressing condolences for her passing and renewing calls for increased security for Jewish gatherings.
Diamond, a longtime member of Bonai Shalom congregation in Boulder, is survived by husband Lou, sons Andrew and Ethan, their wives, and five grandsons. “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,” the congregation’s rabbi, Marc Soloway, said in a statement.
“Karen was a cherished member of our community, someone whose warmth and generosity left a lasting impact on all who knew her,” the Boulder Jewish Community’s executive director Jonathan Lev and board chair David Paul said.
“Karen Diamond, who was severely injured in the antisemitic terror attack on a peaceful demonstration in Boulder earlier this month, has died from her wounds,” wrote the American Jewish Committee in a post on X. “We send our deepest condolences to her family. May her memory be a blessing. 13 other people were injured in this brutal assault on the group advocating for the remaining hostages held by Hamas.”
“We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Karen Diamond, who was critically injured during the peaceful march in Boulder calling for the release of the hostages held by Hamas. May her memory be a blessing,” wrote the Secure Community Network, an organization that coordinates security for Jewish institutions nationwide, in a post on X.
“We pray for the full recovery of the other victims. This senseless murder is another painful reminder of the unprecedented threat environment the Jewish community faces in North America,” the post continued.
Prosecutors said Diamond’s family has asked for privacy as they grieve.
“Part of what makes Colorado special is that people come together in response to a tragedy; I know that the community will continue to unite in supporting the Diamond family and all the victims of this attack,” District Attorney Michael Dougherty said in the statement.
Reacting to the news of Diamond’s passing, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum released a statement saying they were “deeply saddened by the heartbreaking news.”
“Karen was a cherished member of the community that has stood with the hostage families through months of anguish and resilience,” the forum said, adding that “her loss is a devastating blow.”
“The Run for Their Lives community has been marching, praying, and raising its voice for the hostages still held in Gaza for more than 600 days,” the forum added. “Today, we stand with you — in sorrow, in solidarity, and with deep gratitude. Even now, as we mourn, we remain committed to our mission. 50 hostages are still in captivity. We will not stop until every one of them is home.”
During the demonstration, Soliman posed as a gardener and wore a construction vest to get close to the group before launching the attack, prosecutors allege.
Investigators say Soliman told them he intended to kill the participants at the weekly demonstration. He yelled “Free Palestine,” as he threw just two of more than two dozen Molotov cocktails he had prepared.
Prosecutors say the victims were targeted because of their perceived or actual national origin. An attack motivated by someone’s political views is not considered a hate crime under federal law.
Soliman told investigators he tried to buy a gun, but was not able to because he was not a “legal citizen.” Federal authorities have said the Egyptian national has been living in the US illegally with his family.
The Times of Israel Community.