In a statement posted to X on Sunday, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the department\u2019s Bomb Squad determined the device was neither a hoax nor a smoke bomb.<\/p>\n
“The NYPD Bomb Squad<\/a> 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,” Tisch wrote. “It is, in fact, an improvised explosive device that could have caused serious injury or death.”<\/p>\n Authorities are continuing to analyze a second device recovered at the scene.<\/p>\n A man throws a hand-made explosive at supporters of U.S. President Trump during a rally to stop public Muslim prayer, in New York City, on March 7, 2026.\u00a0 (Eduardo Munoz\/)<\/p>\n Police arrested Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi at the scene. Both remain in custody.<\/p>\n Three federal law enforcement sources told Fox News that the two suspects are believed to be U.S. citizens.<\/p>\n The NYPD is working alongside the U.S. Attorney\u2019s Office for the Southern District of New York<\/a> and the FBI through the Joint Terrorism Task Force.<\/p>\n “I want to again thank the brave members of the NYPD who ran towards the danger without hesitation and quickly apprehended the suspects,” Tisch added.<\/p>\n The incident unfolded during dueling demonstrations<\/a> Saturday morning near East End Avenue and East 87th Street, just steps from Gracie Mansion, the official residence of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.<\/p>\n One rally was organized by right-wing activist Jake Lang to oppose public Muslim prayer. Counter-protesters also gathered at the scene.\u00a0<\/p>\n Though police initially kept the groups separated, tensions escalated after pepper spray was deployed during a confrontation.<\/p>\n DC PIPE BOMB SUSPECT PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO PLANTING DEVICES AT DNC AND RNC HEADQUARTERS<\/a><\/p>\n The incident unfolded amid two dueling protests on March 7, 2026, near Gracie Mansion in New York City. (FNTV)<\/p>\n Approximately 30 minutes later, authorities say an 18-year-old counter-protester ignited and threw a device toward the protest area. Witnesses reported seeing flames and smoke before it extinguished itself near responding officers.<\/p>\n Police say the 18-year-old then retrieved a second device from a 19-year-old, lit it, and attempted to flee.\u00a0<\/p>\n Both suspects \u2013 identified as Balat and Kayumi \u2013 were taken into custody.<\/p>\n Three additional arrests were made on charges including disorderly conduct and obstructing traffic.<\/p>\n Bomb squad technicians on Saturday described the devices as jars wrapped in black tape, slightly smaller than a football.\u00a0<\/p>\n X-rays revealed nuts, bolts and screws inside \u2013 materials commonly used as improvised shrapnel \u2013 along with a hobby fuse that could be lit.\u00a0<\/p>\n ‘LOUD BANG,’ DAMAGE REPORTED AT US EMBASSY IN NORWAY; POLICE INVESTIGATING<\/a><\/p>\n Right-wing activist Jake Lang leads a rally to stop public Muslim prayer, in New York City, U.S., March 7, 2026.\u00a0 (Eduardo Munoz\/Reuters)<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP<\/a><\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1773001351_808_gracie-mansion-protests-001.jpg\")
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