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Investigation launched after explosive devices found near Gracie Mansion
New York authorities and the FBI are treating the attempted use of two homemade bombs outside Mayor Zohran Mamdani's residence as an act of ISIS-inspired terrorism. The devices, detonated during a protest clash on Saturday, could have caused severe harm, officials confirmed.
Suspects arrested after devices fail to fully detonate
Two Pennsylvania men, 18-year-old Emir Balat and 19-year-old Ibrahim Kayumi, were taken into custody in connection with the explosives. New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated that while the devices ignited, they did not inflict the damage they were designed to cause.
"We were fortunate these devices did not cause the harm they were capable of. But luck is not a strategy-these explosives could have been devastating," Tisch said during a Monday press briefing.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch
Protest clash escalates into attempted attack
The incident unfolded after a far-right group, led by pardoned January 6 rioter Jake Lang, gathered outside Gracie Mansion to protest against Islam. The group was outnumbered by over 100 counter-protesters, leading to violent confrontations.
Video footage verified by CBS News showed Balat throwing the first ignited device, which fizzled out upon hitting a barrier. He then retrieved a second device from Kayumi, lit it, and fled before discarding it. Tisch later confirmed both devices had been thrown.
Explosives analysis reveals volatile materials
One of the devices was found to contain triacetone triperoxide, a highly unstable homemade explosive. Authorities also located a vehicle linked to the suspects in the Upper East Side, where a robot identified additional suspicious materials consistent with the earlier explosives.
The FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force is now reviewing evidence, conducting interviews, and pursuing leads. Tisch praised two officers who intervened "without hesitation," potentially preventing casualties.
Additional arrests and mayor's response
Police also detained 21-year-old Ian McGuiness for allegedly deploying pepper spray on counter-protesters. He and three others face charges of disorderly conduct and obstruction.
Mayor Mamdani condemned the anti-Islam protest as "rooted in bigotry and racism" but reserved stronger criticism for the attempted bombing.
"Violence at a protest is never acceptable. Using explosives to harm others is criminal, reprehensible, and contrary to who we are as a city," Mamdani stated on Sunday.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani
