The individual suspected of perpetrating an act of violence during a pro-Israel demonstration in Boulder, Colorado, which resulted in eight individuals being hospitalised, is reportedly in the United States without legal sanction, says the Department of Homeland Security.

The suspect, identified as 45-year-old Mohamed Soliman, is reported to have entered the U.S. in August 2022 on a B2 visa, typically granted for tourism purposes, and subsequently applied for asylum in September of the same year. This information was disclosed by Tricia McLaughlin, the assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Homeland Security. The validity of his B2 visa ended in February 2023, she added.

Soliman was accorded a work permit subsequent to the expiration of his B2 visa. As per a senior official, this work permit ceased to be valid on March 28, which suggests that Soliman has been residing in the country illegally since then.

Soliman is accused of utilizing a makeshift flamethrower and hurling an incendiary device into a crowd of pro-Israel demonstrators on a pedestrian mall last Sunday, according to the FBI. He is reported to have yelled “Free Palestine” during the attack.

The demonstration was a Run for Their Lives walk, which seeks to raise public awareness about the hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza and advocates for their immediate liberation.

Eight victims, aged between 52 and 88, were admitted to the hospital with burn injuries, as per the police. Of those, six have since been discharged, whereas two victims remain in critical condition but are expected to recover, as per a security source briefed on the matter.

Soliman has been apprehended and is currently being held on a $10,000,000 bond, according to the Boulder County Jail. The felony charges listed include the use of an incendiary device. The posted list of felony charges also included a charge of first-degree murder, but it is unclear whether the charge pertains to an attempt at murder. Police have confirmed no fatalities as of now.

Soliman is due in court on Monday afternoon.