2 charged with attempting to support ISIS in Gracie Mansion bomb plot
NYPD update on 2 charged with attempting to support ISIS in bomb plot
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch provides an update on the two teenagers that have been charged with attempting to support ISIS in Gracie Mansion bomb plot.
NEW YORK - The two Bucks County individuals accused of bringing explosives to a protest outside Gracie Mansion have been charged with attempting to provide material support to ISIS, use of a weapon of mass destruction and related offenses in an unsealed federal complaint.
What we know:
Emir Balat, 18, appeared in federal court at 2 p.m. Monday after he was accused of throwing an improvised explosive device into a crowd of protesters. Balat allegedly attempted to retrieve another similar device from Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, but dropped it as police chased him.
In total, Balat and Kayumi are charged with attempted provision of material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization, use of a weapon of mass destruction, transportation of explosive materials, interstate transportation and receipt of explosives and unlawful possession of destructive devices.
Explosive devices
Federal prosecutors allege the pair attempted to detonate two improvised explosive devices Saturday near the mayor’s Upper East Side residence during dueling protests outside Gracie Mansion.
Police described one of the devices as a jar wrapped in tape, filled with nuts, bolts, screws and a fuse. The device never detonated.
A homemade explosive device is seen on the ground after a left-wing protester throws the device at a demonstration held by far-right influencer Jake Lang outside Gracie Mansion in New York City, United States, on March 7, 2026. (Photo by Matthew Hoen
Authorities have said the case is being investigated as an act of ISIS-inspired terrorism.
What they're saying:
According to investigators, one device was ignited in a crosswalk at East End Avenue and East 87th Street and another was deployed on the west side of East End Avenue between East 86th and East 87th streets. No injuries were reported.
The backstory:
Preliminary testing by the NYPD bomb squad and FBI special agent bomb technicians determined the devices were improvised explosive devices, not smoke bombs or hoaxes. Officials said at least one device contained triacetone triperoxide, or TATP, a highly volatile homemade explosive that has been used in attacks worldwide.
Mamdani on explosives thrown during NYC anti-Muslim protest
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch speak during a news conference at Gracie Mansion about the explosives thrown during anti-Muslim protests on Saturday.
Authorities also recovered a third device from a vehicle linked to the suspects parked nearby, according to law enforcement officials.
The criminal complaint includes images of the two suspects and references video that allegedly shows them throwing two devices toward the protest area.
Officials have said the devices were capable of causing serious injury or death.
If convicted on the most serious charges, the defendants could face decades in federal prison. The investigation remains ongoing.
Warrants served at Bucks County homes
Local perspective:
Officials served warrants at two homes in Bucks County Sunday — one near Durham Road and Frosty Hollow Road in Middletown Township, the other near Stoopville Road and Clymer Street in Newtown Township.