Karen Diamond, gravely injured in a firebombing during a march in Boulder earlier this month, has died — and with her death, a shaken community is confronting grief, anger, and questions that feel impossible to answer.
A Death That Changes Everything
It wasn’t supposed to end this way. Diamond, a local volunteer and mother of two, had been fighting for her life since that horrific day. Doctors, family, and neighbors held onto hope.
But late Sunday, that hope slipped away. And now prosecutors have upgraded charges against the alleged attacker, Mohamed Soliman. He’s facing not just attempted murder anymore — but two counts of first-degree murder.
One line here: For Boulder, the weight of what happened has only deepened.
The Attack That Shattered a Peaceful March
June 3rd was meant to be about solidarity — a march calling attention to Israeli hostages still held in Gaza. People held signs, candles, and prayers. They did not expect a Molotov cocktail.
Witnesses said the flames roared so fast. Diamond was caught at the front of the march. A bystander told local reporters that he’ll never forget the sound of glass shattering, the whoosh of fire.
Some things you don’t unsee.
Soliman’s Charges Pile Up
Boulder County prosecutors wasted no time after Diamond’s death. On Monday, they filed dozens more counts against Soliman, who’d already been behind bars.
One sentence here: He now faces 66 new charges tied to 14 other victims.
What does that mean exactly? Investigators say they’ve uncovered more people hurt in the chaos — burns, smoke inhalation, trauma.
In total, Soliman is staring down two counts of first-degree murder, multiple attempted murder charges, and an avalanche of lesser charges.
Families Grieve, Questions Swirl
Diamond’s family released a short statement, asking for privacy but thanking everyone who rallied around them. Their heartbreak is all over town — in the flowers outside the courthouse, in the vigils, in the hushed conversations in coffee shops.
One local neighbor described Diamond as “the one who’d show up when no one else did.”
It’s the randomness that haunts people. A peaceful protest, a homemade firebomb, a mother who’ll never come home.
A Community on Edge
Boulder isn’t used to this. Yes, it’s seen its share of tragedy before — the grocery store shooting, the Marshall Fire. But a politically charged attack like this hits a different nerve.
People are asking: could this have been stopped? Did anyone see warning signs? Police say Soliman had no prior record, no flags that might’ve tipped them off.
One line here: The city feels raw.
The Investigation Isn’t Over
Police and the District Attorney’s Office made clear — this case is still unraveling. Detectives are combing through hours of surveillance footage, cellphone videos, and witness statements.
One official said they’re exploring whether Soliman acted alone or had help — but so far, no evidence points to co-conspirators.
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Prosecutors confirm more victims could come forward.
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Additional charges are possible.
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Court hearings are expected to draw crowds.
This is far from over.
Political Tensions Simmer
Some in Boulder’s tight-knit activist circles fear this could deepen divides. The march was meant to draw attention to a crisis overseas, not ignite flames here at home.
Local community leaders have urged people not to let one person’s violence overshadow the peaceful calls for justice. But that’s easier said than done.
One line here: Fear can spread faster than facts.
The Charges in Black and White
Here’s a snapshot of how the legal case stacks up now:
| Charge Category | Number of Counts | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| First-Degree Murder | 2 | Includes Karen Diamond’s death |
| Attempted Murder | Multiple | Victims who survived the attack |
| Other Felonies | 66 | Related to injuries and reckless acts |
Prosecutors are expected to push for maximum sentences if Soliman is convicted.
Boulder’s Next Steps
For now, people are gathering. They’re leaving flowers outside the Boulder County Courthouse. They’re hugging each other tighter.
One mother at a vigil told me, “We always say ‘it won’t happen here’ — but here we are.”
City leaders have promised more security at future marches and rallies. Some worry this will chill free speech. Others say safety comes first.
Karen Diamond’s Legacy
Neighbors say Diamond was the kind of person who loved fiercely. Her kids were her world. She believed showing up mattered. It’s that image — her holding a sign for people she’d never met — that many hope outshines the horror.
One line here: That’s what they’re clinging to.
No timeline yet on when the suspect’s trial might begin, but this case will hang over Boulder for a long time. A Molotov cocktail can destroy so much more than what it touches.
