Authorities Charge Ibraham Kayumi, Emir Balat With ISIS-Inspired Attempted IED Bombing at Gracie Mansion Protest
Key Takeaways
- Two people charged with an ISIS-inspired attempted IED attack outside Gracie Mansion protest
- Two improvised explosive devices were found; a third device remained under investigation at the scene
- Authorities say the attack was motivated by ISIS-inspired extremist ideology
Arrests near Gracie Mansion
Authorities arrested two teenagers — 19-year-old Ibraham Kayumi and 18-year-old Emir Balat — after a confrontation near Gracie Mansion.
“New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said outside Gracie Mansion on Saturday are being investigated as "an act of ISIS-inspired terrorism”
IJR reported the arrest followed a confrontation in which authorities said a homemade explosive failed to detonate.
USA TODAY said the pair were indicted March 9 on federal charges including attempting to support ISIS and using a weapon of mass destruction after allegedly igniting homemade explosive devices outside New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's official residence, Gracie Mansion.
CBS News said federal prosecutors charged 18-year-old Emir Balat and 19-year-old Ibrahim Kayumi after an FBI probe, and that each faces five counts including attempted material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization (ISIS), use of a weapon of mass destruction, and transportation of explosive materials.
Sources differ on the spelling of Kayumi's name: IJR used "Ibraham" while USA TODAY and CBS used "Ibrahim".
IEDs and terrorism assessment
Officials described multiple improvised explosive devices at the scene.
They said at least one device contained the highly unstable explosive TATP.
Authorities treated the incident as an ISIS-inspired terrorism matter.
IJR reported police alleging the pair "threw a device made from sports-drink bottles filled with triacetone triperoxide (TATP) during a clash between supporters of Jake Lang and pro-Muslim counter-protesters;"
USA TODAY said: "Officials say two IEDs—one containing highly volatile triacetone triperoxide (TATP)—were ignited and a third similar device was found in a vehicle linked to the suspects, prompting evacuations and a controlled detonation."
CBS News framed the official terrorism assessment: "New York officials say two improvised explosive devices — with a third device under investigation — were found Saturday outside Gracie Mansion on Manhattan’s Upper East Side and are being treated as 'an act of ISIS-inspired terrorism.'"
Alleged ISIS inspiration
Prosecutors and investigators say both teens made statements indicating ISIS inspiration or allegiance when taken into custody.
“Teens charged in 'ISIS-inspired' attack near Mamdani's Gracie Mansion – DOJ Mamdani said he and his wife were not home on Saturday when two men allegedly ignited homemade explosive devices during protests outside Gracie Mansion”
IJR reported the suspects told investigators they had watched ISIS propaganda and targeted right‑wing demonstrators over perceived insults to their religion.
CBS News described post-arrest acknowledgements and written statements, saying both defendants waived their Miranda rights and acknowledged being inspired by ISIS.
According to CBS, Kayumi reportedly said 'ISIS' as he was arrested and told police he watched ISIS propaganda, while Balat wrote a statement pledging allegiance to the Islamic State and said he hoped to carry out an attack larger than the Boston Marathon bombing.
USA TODAY relayed investigators' accounts that video and investigators' accounts describe the pair as counterprotesters, both made statements indicating ISIS inspiration or allegiance, and Balat reportedly said he wanted an attack 'even bigger' than the Boston Marathon bombing.
Devices at Gracie Mansion
The devices were set off during a March 7 rally organized by conservative influencer Jake Lang near Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s residence.
USA TODAY reported the devices were set off during the March 7 rally and that Mamdani and his wife were not home.
IJR said police allege the pair threw a device during a clash between supporters of Jake Lang and pro-Muslim counter-protesters and that the suspects told investigators they had watched ISIS propaganda.
IJR also reported that Mayor Zohran Mamdani was inside Gracie Mansion at the time.
These reports conflict: USA TODAY said Mamdani and his wife were not home, while IJR said Mamdani was inside Gracie Mansion.
CBS News reported that two improvised explosive devices were found outside Gracie Mansion on Manhattan’s Upper East Side and that New York officials were treating the incident as 'an act of ISIS-inspired terrorism.'
TATP device probe updates
Authorities emphasized the danger posed by the unstable explosive and said the investigation has broadened while security around the city increased.
“Authorities say two teenagers arrested after a tense protest near Gracie Mansion are now facing serious accusations tied to an alleged explosive device that failed to detonate”
IJR quoted officials who "warned the unstable TATP mixture could have killed or maimed bystanders, noted the compound’s use in past European attacks, and said the probe has since expanded beyond New York City."
USA TODAY described the immediate operational response: "...a third similar device was found in a vehicle linked to the suspects, prompting evacuations and a controlled detonation."
CBS News noted wider security and prosecutorial moves: "The devices could have seriously injured or killed people, authorities said."
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