Two men from Pennsylvania, Emir Balat, 18, and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, were arrested on March 7 after allegedly throwing homemade bombs at protesters and police officers near New York City’s mayoral residence, Gracie Mansion. The devices failed to detonate, and authorities described the suspects as supporters of the Islamic State.
Timeline and Investigation Details
Surveillance footage shows Balat purchasing a 20-foot length of consumer fireworks fuse on March 2 from Phantom Fireworks in Penndel, Pennsylvania. The fuse was later recovered during a vehicle search in Manhattan. The purchase occurred shortly after U.S. and Israeli airstrikes killed several Iranian leaders.
On March 7, approximately 20 protesters gathered outside Gracie Mansion alongside a larger counterprotest of around 125 people. Video evidence depicts Balat throwing the first device near 87th Street and East End Avenue, which emitted smoke but did not explode. Kayumi then handed a second device to Balat, who ignited and threw it at police officers before both were arrested.
Official Statements and Aftermath
U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton confirmed both men stated they were aligned with ISIS after their arrest. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch characterized the bombs as improvised explosive devices capable of causing serious injury or death.
Hours following the arrests, multiple calls were made to law enforcement from Kayumi’s home, though authorities have not released further information. Two NYPD officers, Chief Aaron Edwards and Sgt. Luis Navarro, received city honors for their response during the incident.
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned the protest organizer, Jake Lang, labelling the event as rooted in “bigotry and racism,” while denouncing the violence that followed without explicitly mentioning terrorism.
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