Two men accused of throwing improvised explosive devices during a weekend protest outside New York City’s mayoral residence told authorities they were inspired by the Islamic State group, according to a criminal complaint.
The suspects, identified as Emir Balat, 18, and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, face charges including attempting to provide material support to a terrorist organization and using a weapon of mass destruction, according to a report from the Associated Press (AP).
As he was being arrested on Saturday, Kayumi said “ISIS” was the reason for his conduct, the complaint said, and Balat later told authorities he had pledged allegiance to the group, according to the filing.
The Context
The devices allegedly brought by Balat and Kuyami to the protest reportedly contained TATP and shrapnel material but did not detonate, averting mass casualties.
The protest was organized by Jake Lang, a conservative influencer pardoned for charges tied to the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Images from the scene showed smoke and what appeared to be an unexploded homemade device.
What To Know
The complaint alleged the suspects claimed ISIS allegiance or affiliation and described their intent during and after the incident.
Prosecutors charged both men with attempting to provide material support to a terrorist organization and using a weapon of mass destruction, the AP reported.
Authorities said one jar-sized improvised explosive device contained TATP, a fuse, and an exterior layer of duct-taped nuts and bolts; it extinguished near police officers and did not detonate, according to the complaint.
A second similar device was later dropped near officers before police tackled and arrested one suspect, the AP reported.
Investigators said an automated license plate reader showed the suspects’ vehicle entering New York City from New Jersey less than an hour before the incident; a subsequent search found a fuse, a metal can, and a written list of chemical ingredients and components that could be used to build explosives, the report said.
Both suspects had addresses in Pennsylvania; one carried a Turkish government identification card alongside a Pennsylvania driver’s license, according to the complaint. Their vehicle was registered to a relative of one suspect, the AP reported.
Local police in eastern Pennsylvania said authorities searched a home in Middletown Township and that a separate federal investigation was underway in nearby Newtown; both inquiries were related to the New York incident, according to statements cited by the AP.
Where is Gracie Mansion Located?
Gracie Mansion, the official residence of the New York City mayor, is in Carl Schurz Park at East End Avenue and East 88th Street on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, according to the Gracie Mansion Conservancy.
Why Were There Protests at Gracie Mansion?
The incident occurred outside Gracie Mansion during counterprotests against an anti-Islam demonstration led by activist Jake Lang. The protest drew a larger counterdemonstration, and the scene had grown chaotic before the devices were thrown.
Who is Emir Balat?
Balat, 18, is a Pennsylvania resident identified in the complaint as one of the two suspects. AP reported that, according to the complaint, Balat said he pledged allegiance to the Islamic State and allegedly threw the first device into the crowd before attempting to deploy a second device during the confrontation outside Gracie Mansion.
Who is Ibrahim Kayumi?
Kayumi, 19, is a Pennsylvania resident identified in the complaint as the second suspect. According to the complaint, Kayumi said “ISIS” motivated his conduct during his arrest and provided a second device to Balat before both were apprehended.
What People Are Saying
Police Commissioner of the City of New York Jessica Tisch wrote on X: “The NYPD Bomb Squad has conducted a preliminary analysis of a device that was ignited and deployed at a protest yesterday and has determined that 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. Further analysis will be conducted, including on a second device.”
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani wrote on X Sunday: “Yesterday, white supremacist Jake Lang organized a protest outside Gracie Mansion rooted in bigotry and racism. Such hate has no place in New York City. It is an affront to our city’s values and the unity that defines who we are. What followed was even more disturbing. 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. I want to thank the brave men and women of the NYPD who acted quickly to keep New Yorkers safe. Our officers ran toward danger without hesitation, demonstrating once again the courage and dedication it takes to protect this city every single day. My administration is closely monitoring the situation and I remain in close contact with our Police Commissioner.”
What Happens Next
The suspects await arraignment on Monday, according to the report from the AP.
Additional searches and a reported federal inquiry in Pennsylvania remained ongoing, and authorities had not publicly released the full criminal complaint as of publication. Further court filings are expected to clarify evidence, motive, and any potential co-conspirators.