‘Beloved by her family’: Community reacts after 82-year-old victim in Boulder terror attack dies
BOULDER, Colo. (KRDO) -- A woman who was hurt in the Boulder terror attack has died of her injuries, according to the 20th Judicial District Attorney's Office.
Earlier this month, the suspect, Mohamed Soliman, attacked peaceful demonstrators with Molotov cocktails, according to investigators. The victims were bringing attention to Israeli hostages, and officials say Soliman reportedly yelled "Free Palestine" during the attack.
Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty said the family of one of the victims told his office that 82-year-old Karen Diamond died from the severe injuries she suffered in the attack.
“This horrific attack has now claimed the life of an innocent person who was beloved by her family and friends," Dougherty said.
Dougherty said Diamond left a positive impact on the people she came in contact with.
"From what I've heard, by all accounts, she was a wonderful person," Dougherty said. I obviously never had the privilege of meeting her, but we are going to fight for justice for her and for every victim in this case."
Dougherty said his office is waiting to release more information about Diamond out of respect for the family's wish for privacy.
Dougherty is the same District Attorney who prosecuted the King Soopers grocery store mass shooter who killed 10 people in Boulder in 2021. He said the community's response to violence like the King Soopers shooting and the Boulder terror attack speaks volumes.
"Unfortunately, in Colorado, we've been called upon to respond to different tragedies and crises throughout the state," Dougherty said. "Time and time again, I've seen the people of this great state come together to support one another and unite to help people who've been impacted."
Dougherty said he attended a vigil at the Jewish Community Center with 1,100 other people, and over 15,000 showed up for the Boulder Jewish Festival in support of the Jewish community after the attack.
Soliman faces a slew of charges, including 18 counts of attempted first-degree assault and more than 50 counts of attempted first-degree murder. He also faces federal hate crime charges.
In light of Diamond's death, he now faces first-degree murder charges. One is first-degree murder under an extreme indifference theory, and the other charges first-degree murder with intent and after deliberation.
Soliman lived in Colorado Springs with his family, and prosecutors say he traveled to Boulder for the attack.
The story drew national attention, with some pointing to immigration laws in the fallout. Department of Homeland Security officials say Soliman was living in the country illegally on an overstayed visa.
Following the attack in Boulder, his wife and kids were expeditiously taken into custody and officials hoped to process their removal. Attorneys representing his wife are fighting against the deportation. You can read more on what the wife has to say by clicking here.
The next court hearing for Soliman will be on July 15.
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