UPPER EAST SIDE, Manhattan (WABC) — Two Pennsylvania teenagers are likely to face serious federal charges after bringing real, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to Gracie Mansion.
According to investigators, known far-right agitator Jake Lang organized a “Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City” protest with about 20 people. The counter-protest with “Run the Nazis out of New York City’s Stand Against Hate Group,” had about 125 participants.
The two groups clashed around noon on Saturday in front of Gracie Mansion, New York City’s historic mayoral residence.
Hostilities quickly eclipsed debate and a woman was pepper sprayed and a man was punched and kicked. Then, officials say a bomb was thrown at the first group, but it landed in a crosswalk.
Two suspects, identified as Emir Balat, a high school student, and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, are accused of throwing and igniting two objects, one of which was confirmed to be an IED.
“It is not a hoax device or a smoke bomb. It is, in fact, an improvised explosive device that could have caused serious injury or death,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
By Sunday night, bomb experts removed another suspicious device from a car and away from the Upper East Side neighborhood — their next step is to determine if this, too, was a bomb. The FBI joined that investigation.
Neighbors nearby on the Upper East Side watched with curiosity as a robot maneuvered around a black Honda, eventually shattering windows to access what was inside. The bomb squad scanned the car.
Those with apartment windows on lower floors closest to the car were asked to get out and stay at a distance.
“I’d rather be evacuated for however long it takes than potentially be in the midst of this,” said Kristina Kuzmina.
“Once they isolated the device and got the bomb disposal unit here, they did another final sweep in the area before letting people back in,” said assembly member Alex Bores.
As they returned, they learned that the car was connected to the tense protest and counterprotest they overheard Saturday outside Gracie Mansion.
Officials report that the teen who threw the IED tried to get another device from the second teen, but both were quickly arrested.
Authorities believed the pair watched ISIS videos at home.
The FBI arrived at their homes in Newtown, Pennsylvania to investigate.
“That’s what’s scary. They could have been making a bomb at home, across from our home,” said a suspect’s neighbor, Pamela Pulsinelli.
The two suspects will likely face federal charges. Tests are now being done at the second device at the scene and the third device found on Sunday to determine if they are IEDs as well.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani was home at Gracie Mansion at the time and issued a statement on Sunday, saying; “violence at a protest is never acceptable. The attempt to use an explosive device and hurt others is not only criminal, it is reprehensible and the antithesis of who we are.”
Mayor Mamdani and Police Commissioner Tisch have scheduled a news conference for Monday morning.
The car the suspect used to drive to New York City has since been towed away.
Eyewitness News has learned that there were even more materials in the vehicle to make more bombs.
———-
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
Copyright © 2026 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.