The man accused in connection with the attack in Boulder, Colorado, has been charged with a federal hate crime, according to court documents.
An FBI affidavit says Mohamed Sabry Soliman confessed to the attack after being taken into custody and told the police he would repeat his actions.
The White House said late Sunday that Soliman is an “illegal alien” who overstayed his visa.
“A terror attack was committed in Boulder, Colorado by an illegal alien,” Stephen Miller, White House deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security adviser, said in a statement on X.
“He was granted a tourist visa by the Biden Administration and then he illegally overstayed that visa. In response, the Biden Administration gave him a work permit. Suicidal migration must be fully reversed,” he continued.
The statement from the White House came shortly after law enforcement identified the suspect arrested on Sunday as Mohamed Soliman, 45. The attack took place during a peaceful weekly gathering of individuals, walking together to demonstrate solidarity with hostages still held in Gaza by Hamas and to call for their release.
FBI special agent in charge Mark Michalek said at an evening news conference that the suspect used a “makeshift flamethrower” and incendiary devices to attack the victims and “was heard to yell ‘free Palestine,’ during the attack.”
The six victims ranged in age from 67 to 88, and all were hospitalized, with two having been airlifted to a burn unit.
The FBI and local law enforcement said the incident is being investigated as an act of terrorism.