Bucks County Men Inspired by ISIS Brought Explosives to NYC Mayoral Mansion, Face Terrorism Charges
Key Takeaways
- Brought explosives to a protest outside New York City's mayoral mansion
- Said they were inspired by the Islamic State extremist group
- Facing terrorism charges, including material support and weapon-of-mass-destruction counts
Explosives at mayor's residence
Two young men from Bucks County, Pennsylvania — 18-year-old Emir Balat and 19-year-old Ibrahim Kayumi — were arrested after allegedly bringing and hurling homemade explosive devices at counterprotests outside New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s official residence.
“NEW YORK (WPVI) -- Two Bucks County, Pennsylvania men who allegedly brought explosives to a protest outside New York City's mayoral mansion said they were inspired by the Islamic State extremist group, a court complaint said”
The devices did not detonate.
Both were arraigned on federal charges including attempting to provide material support to a terrorist organization and using a weapon of mass destruction.
They are being held without bail.
Alleged Islamic State ties
Prosecutors and court filings say both suspects expressed support for or were inspired by the Islamic State.
Kayumi allegedly blurted 'ISIS' during his arrest, and Balat later said he had pledged allegiance.
Balat reportedly told investigators he hoped to carry out an attack 'even bigger' than the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, and officials and media accounts cite those statements as central to the terrorism charges.
Recovered device descriptions
Reports vary on the devices and materials recovered but point to improvised explosive attempts.
“NEW YORK (AP) — Two men who brought explosives to a protest outside New York City’s mayoral mansion said they were inspired by the Islamic State extremist group, a court complaint said”
Some outlets reported jars packed with nuts, screws and bolts and hobby fuses.
Other outlets said the devices were reportedly filled with the explosive TATP, fitted with fuses and surrounded by duct-taped nuts and bolts.
Searches of the suspects' vehicle found a fuse, a metal can and written lists of chemical ingredients and components that could be used to make explosives.
These accounts contradict each other on key details, notably whether the devices contained nuts and bolts or TATP.
Tracking, raids and charges
Authorities say they tracked the suspects' approach into New York and executed searches in Pennsylvania.
An automated license plate reader reportedly tracked the vehicle entering via the George Washington Bridge.
Police located the car a few blocks from the arrests.
The FBI carried out raids at the suspects' homes in Langhorne and Newtown.
Federal prosecutors pursued terrorism charges.
Clash at Gracie Mansion
The clash occurred amid a small but contentious anti-Muslim demonstration organized by far-right activist Jake Lang, during which roughly 125 counterprotesters confronted the rally.
“# Men who brought explosives to NYC protest cited ‘ISIS’ as inspiration, complaint says Two men who brought explosives to a protest outside New York City’s mayoral mansion said they were inspired by the Islamic State extremist group, a court complaint said”
Mayor Mamdani and other city officials condemned the protest as "vile" and said no one at Gracie Mansion was harmed and there was no indication the incident was connected to the war in Iran.
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