Crime
DHS Secretary Noem Announces ICE Detention of Alleged Boulder Terrorist’s Family Amid Ongoing Investigation
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem has announced that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has taken into custody the wife and five children of Mohamed Sabry Farag Soliman, the suspect in a recent alleged terror attack in Boulder, Colorado.
The family members, all Egyptian nationals, are currently being processed for removal proceedings from the United States.
“This terrorist will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Secretary Noem said in a formal statement. “We are actively investigating to determine the extent to which his family may have had prior knowledge of, or offered support for, this heinous attack. Justice will be served.”
ICE has confirmed the following family members are in federal custody:
- Hayam Salah Alsaid Ahmed Elgamal, 41, Soliman’s wife
- Habiba Mohamed Sabry Farag Soliman, 18, daughter
- Two minor sons (names withheld)
- Two minor daughters (names withheld)
All six individuals are Egyptian citizens and were listed as dependents in Soliman’s asylum application, which he filed in Denver, Colorado on September 29, 2022.
According to DHS records, Soliman and his family entered the United States legally on August 27, 2022, and were authorized to remain until February 26, 2023.
However, the family overstayed their visa, and Soliman sought asylum during that period under the Biden Administration’s immigration protocols.
ICE officials are reviewing whether the family had any knowledge of or involvement in the alleged terror plot, and Secretary Noem has indicated the investigation is ongoing.
The Department of Homeland Security is working in coordination with federal, state, and local partners to investigate any potential affiliations, communications, or material support related to the attack.
Law enforcement agencies have not released further details about the nature of the alleged plot or the charges Soliman may face.
Secretary Noem concluded her remarks by expressing continued support for the victims and their families:
“I am continuing to pray for the victims of this attack and their loved ones. We will ensure that justice is done swiftly and without compromise.”
Further updates will be released as the investigation progresses.
Crime
Venezuelan national Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis shot in the leg by an immigration agent in Minneapolis
On January 14, 2025, federal law enforcement personnel were engaged in a targeted enforcement operation involving Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan national who has been present in the United States since 2022.
The operation escalated into a high-speed pursuit, a physical confrontation, and an ambush by multiple subjects, necessitating the use of a defensive firearm discharge by a federal agent.
At approximately 6:50 PM, federal officers initiated a targeted traffic stop of a vehicle operated by Sosa-Celis.
The subject refused to comply with law enforcement commands and attempted to flee the scene.
During the pursuit, the subject’s vehicle collided with a stationary, parked car.
Following the collision, the subject abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene on foot.
A federal agent pursued the suspect on foot and successfully intercepted him. As the agent attempted to effect an arrest, the subject became combative, resulting in a violent struggle on the ground.
During this confrontation, two additional male subjects emerged from a nearby residence to intervene.
These individuals reportedly ambushed the agent, utilizing a snow shovel and a broom handle to strike the officer.
The situation escalated when the primary suspect, Sosa-Celis, regained his footing and joined the two additional subjects in the assault.
Reports indicate the suspect struck the agent with a blunt object (identified as either the shovel or broom handle).
Citing an immediate threat to his life while being outnumbered and actively assaulted by three individuals, the agent discharged his service weapon in self-defense.
The discharge struck Sosa-Celis in the lower extremity (leg). Following the shot, all three suspects retreated into a nearby apartment complex and initiated a barricade situation.
Following a brief standoff, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) successfully secured the perimeter and apprehended all three individuals without further injury.
Both the federal agent and Sosa-Celis were transported to a local medical facility for treatment.
Images from the scene showed Sosa-Celis conscious and alert during transport.
All three subjects involved in the assault are currently in the custody of ICE.
Further charges related to the assault on a federal officer and resisting arrest are pending review by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.