BOULDER, Colo. — The suspect who injured 12 people when he threw Molotov cocktails into a crowd peacefully demonstrating to raise awareness about Israeli hostages had "no regrets" about the attack, authorities said Monday.
Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, was arrested for the attack and was being held on multiple state felonies. He was also charged with a federal hate crime.
Authorities had initially reported eight victims Sunday night, but had identified four additional victims by Monday afternoon's update. The initial eight victims were between the ages of 52 and 88 and included a Holocaust survivor.
At least two victims were still being treated in the hospital Monday afternoon. None of the victims had been named.
J. Bishop Grewell, the acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado, said Soliman had tried to purchase a firearm for the attack but was denied because he was in the U.S. illegally.
"When he was interviewed about the attack, he said he wanted them all to die," Grewell said. "He had no regrets, and he would go back and do it again."
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RELATED: What we know about Mohamed Soliman
Soliman was heard yelling "Free Palestine" during the attack and saying he wanted to "kill all Zionists."
- Watch the full Monday afternoon update from authorities in the video player below:
The incident occurred around 1 p.m. Sunday at 13th and Pearl streets as the volunteer group "Run for Their Lives" was holding what Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn described as a peaceful walk outside the courthouse.
The group demonstrates regularly to call for the release of hostages being held by Hamas.
Redfearn said officers responded to an area outside the courthouse building after several 911 calls reporting a man with a weapon was setting people on fire.
Police said multiple demonstrators sustained injuries consistent with burns.
"I can confirm that Boulder Community Hospital received multiple patients, and some of those patients were transferred to other hospitals," Redfearn said.
Authorities interviewed 44 witnesses in the 24 hours after the attack, they said Monday. Law enforcement search Soliman's home in unincorporated El Paso County late Sunday for evidence related the attack.
Police evacuated several blocks in and around the mall. Those businesses had reopened Monday.
FBI Director Kash Patel described the event as a "targeted terror attack."
“Our agents and local law enforcement are on the scene already, and we will share updates as more information becomes available,” Patel posted on social media.
- WATCH: Denver7 team coverage of the Boulder attack, including updates on the victims, the suspect and reaction from witnesses and lawmakers:
Mark Michalek, FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge, said the incident was being investigated as an act of terrorism.
"It is clear that this is a targeted act of violence, and the FBI is investigating this as an act of terrorism. Sadly, attacks like this are becoming too common across the country," Michalek said during a Sunday evening press conference.
Jeremy Shaver with the Anti-Defamation League Mountain States called it a "targeted antisemitic attack."
"I want to be really clear, this attack was an act of hate," he said. "It was a targeted antisemitic attack, and it's wholly unacceptable in Boulder, in Colorado, the United States, or anywhere. It's unacceptable that these types of attacks are happening."
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In a statement, a spokesperson for Run For Their Lives said members had gathered to call for the release of hostages who remain in Gaza when the Sunday attack occurred.
“We want to emphasize that we are an apolitical organization with the singular mission to raise awareness for the 58 hostages still in captivity. We hope and believe that at least 20 of them are still alive, and we walk for the release of them all from the tunnels in Gaza," a spokesperson for the group said in a statement. "We are not protesting; we are merely walking peacefully to raise awareness. We are dedicated to our mission that this is an international humanitarian crisis and that no one should ever be taken hostage and kept under ground in tunnels without basic humanitarian needs and aid. Our greatest concern at this moment is the well-being of the members of our group, most especially those who have been hospitalized."
The Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management stated they were standing by to offer resources as requested.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis released a statement Sunday afternoon saying his office was working with officials in Boulder following the attack and sending prayers to those impacted.
"As the Jewish community reels from the recent antisemitic murders in Washington, D.C., it is unfathomable that the community is facing another antisemitic attack here in Boulder, on the eve of the holiday of Shavuot," read the statement from Polis, who is Jewish himself. "Several individuals were brutally attacked while peacefully drawing attention to the plight of hostages who have been held by Hamas terrorists in Gaza for 604 days. Hate is unacceptable in our Colorado for all, and I condemn this act of terror. The suspect should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
Chief Redfearn said this incident shattered what was a peaceful afternoon.
"What I will say lastly is this was a beautiful Sunday afternoon in downtown Boulder on Pearl Street, and this act is unacceptable," he said.
It marks another tragedy for a community that has endured a mass shooting at a King Soopers and a catastrophic fire in recent years. On Monday, Boulder County District Attorney spoke to the strength of the city in response to difficult circumstances.
"This community has experienced too many tragedies – fires, floods and mass attacks," Dougherty said. "But each time I've seen this great community respond with strength, resilience and support for one another. I trust and hope that that will happen again [in the coming weeks, that] our community will rally to restore peace and to bring support and comfort one another during this dark hour."
The Associated Press contributed to this report
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