Crime
82-year-old Karen Diamond Dies from Injuries Sustained in Boulder Terror Attack
BOULDER, COLORADO – Karen Diamond, an 82-year-old Jewish woman, has died from critical injuries she sustained during a violent terror attack in Boulder on June 1, 2025.
Authorities confirmed her death over the weekend, prompting prosecutors to upgrade charges against the suspect to include first-degree murder and additional hate crime offenses.
The suspect, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, of Colorado Springs, is accused of carrying out a brutal assault using Molotov cocktails and a makeshift flamethrower, which injured 29 individuals—including Diamond—and a dog.
Investigators say Soliman has confessed to planning the attack for over a year and admitted to deliberately targeting what he described as “Zionists.”
Diamond was among the most seriously injured and had been hospitalized in critical condition for nearly a month before succumbing to her wounds.
Her death has intensified public outcry and deepened the impact of what officials are classifying as a hate-motivated domestic terror incident.
Authorities say Soliman acted alone and had pre-meditated the attack, selecting his target based on religious and political hatred. He now faces a slew of charges, including:
- First-degree murder
- 28 counts of attempted murder
- Multiple counts of first-degree assault
- Several felony hate crime charges
- Animal cruelty
Federal agencies are also involved in the investigation, and Soliman may face additional federal terrorism and civil rights violations.
“This was a heinous, premeditated act of hate that resulted in the tragic death of an innocent woman and injuries to many others,” Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty said in a statement. “We are committed to securing full justice for the victims, their families, and the broader community.”
The incident has sparked increased security concerns in Jewish communities across Colorado and beyond.
Community leaders have called for enhanced hate crime prevention measures and greater protection for vulnerable populations.
Soliman remains in custody without bond and is expected to appear in court later this week for a formal arraignment on the upgraded charges.
Crime
Former Texas Worship Minister and Christian Musician Jon Sheptock Arrested on Child Sexual Abuse Material Charges
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas — A married Christian musician and former worship minister who once performed at a rally for former President Donald Trump has been arrested on multiple child sexual abuse material (CSAM) charges, authorities confirmed.
According to officials, Jon Sheptock, a former minister at First Montgomery Baptist Church, was taken into custody on September 26 by detectives from the Montgomery County Constable’s Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Unit.
He faces charges of possession and production of child pornography following a detailed investigation into allegations of long-term misconduct.
The arrest was based on testimony from a woman who alleged that Sheptock stole a photograph of her approximately nine years ago, when she was 17 years old.
The victim told investigators that after sending her the image, Sheptock demanded explicit photographs and later sent her a video depicting a violent assault, warning that he “did not want that to happen to her.”
Court records further indicate that Sheptock showed the victim nude images of both adults and minors on his computer.
Investigators allege that the misconduct continued as recently as October 2023, when Sheptock reportedly sent a text message to the victim containing a nude image of young girls.
Before his arrest, Sheptock was widely known as a Christian recording artist and motivational speaker.
His now-deleted website biography stated that he was born without arms and with one leg shorter than the other, yet went on to describe himself as a “thriving Christian recording artist and speaker.” He has been married for 26 years and is the father of three daughters.
In a public statement, First Montgomery Baptist Church confirmed that Sheptock was immediately removed from all ministry responsibilities following his arrest.
The church emphasized that Sheptock did not hold any position involving direct contact with children, and there is no indication that minors associated with the church were involved or affected.
Sheptock gained wider public attention in January 2022, when he performed the national anthem at a rally for then-President Donald Trump, according to The Independent.
If convicted, Sheptock faces a potential prison sentence ranging from two to twenty years.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are encouraging anyone with additional information to contact the Montgomery County Constable’s Office Human Traffic.