Elderly woman dies from injuries suffered during antisemitic attack in Colorado

An elderly woman has died after being severely injured in last month’s fiery antisemitic attack in Boulder, Colorado, prosecutors said Monday.

Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty disclosed the death of 82-year-old Karen Diamond while unveiling first-degree murder charges against suspect Mohamed Sabry Soliman.

“This horrific attack has now claimed the life of an innocent person who was beloved by her family and friends. Our hearts are with the Diamond family during this incredibly difficult time,” Mr. Dougherty said in a statement.

The Boulder Jewish Community said Ms. Diamond died on Friday.

“Karen was a cherished member of our community, someone whose warmth and generosity left a lasting impact on all who knew her,” said Jonathan Lev, the organization’s executive director, and board chair David Paul in a statement obtained by the Colorado Sun.

Authorities said Mr. Soliman used a makeshift flamethrower and hurled incendiary devices at a group of pro-Israel marchers during his hate-filled spasm that wounded Ms. Diamond and 13 others.

Mr. Soliman allegedly yelled “Free Palestine” during the attack, a popular rallying cry among supporters of Hamas, the Islamic terror group at war with Israel. Court documents also said he told officers that he “wanted to kill all Zionist people and wished they were all dead.”

The 45-year-old suspect is an Egyptian national who is in the U.S. illegally. He is facing a slew of federal and state charges in connection with the June 1 attack.

The attack in Boulder came less than two weeks after D.C. police said a Chicago man gunned down two Israeli Embassy staffers in the nation’s capital.

The two victims in the May 21 slayings, Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Milgrim, 26, were days away from becoming engaged in Jerusalem.

Police said suspect Elias Rodriguez, 31, also yelled “Free Palestine” while he was being arrested. He is being held behind bars on murder charges.

In April, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro was the victim of an arson attack when police said a man with pro-Palestinian views broke into the governor’s residence and set it on fire. 

Authorities said Mr. Shapiro, who is Jewish, had family sleeping over after celebrating the Passover holiday when suspect Cody Balmer torched part of the mansion. 

Police said the governor, who was sleeping in a different part of the home, was shaken awake and escaped the attack without being injured.

Court documents said Mr. Balmer, 38, later surrendered and told authorities he “will not take part in his plans for what he wants to do to the Palestinian people,” in what investigators treated as a reference to Mr. Shapiro.

The filings said Mr. Balmer told officers that if he had encountered the governor, he would have “beaten him with his hammer.” He admitted to “harboring hatred” toward Mr. Shapiro.

Mr. Balmer faces attempted murder, arson and terrorism charges.