Crime07 March, 20262 min read
Emir Balat And Ibrahim Kayumi Attack Mayor Zohran Mamdani's Home With IEDs In ISIS-Inspired Plot
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Prosecutors charged Emir Balat (18) and Ibrahim Kayumi (19) over IEDs near Gracie Mansion Two homemade devices failed to fully detonate; no injuries reported
Explosive devices near Gracie Mansion
Federal and city authorities say two Pennsylvania teenagers, identified as Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi, were charged after improvised explosive devices were thrown near Gracie Mansion, the official residence of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, during duelling demonstrations on Saturday.
“Federal prosecutors in New York have charged two Pennsylvania teenagers after improvised explosive devices were thrown near Gracie Mansion during duelling demonstrations on Saturday.”
Officials described the incident as an ISIS-inspired act and said the devices were used near the mayor's home; video showed a suspect detained after one device smoked and failed to detonate.
Explosive devices and arrest
Authorities say one device emitted smoke but did not detonate. Witnesses and police video captured the moment a suspect was detained after lighting a device.
Prosecutors and investigators recovered multiple devices and bomb‑making materials. Officials said one device contained the highly unstable explosive TATP and that the devices included fuses and shrapnel elements.
Charges and detention summary
Two men, identified in court filings as 18-year-old Emir Balat and 19-year-old Ibrahim Kayumi, were arrested after one device began smoking. They face multiple federal counts, including attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization and use of a weapon of mass destruction.
“Federal prosecutors unsealed five counts including providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization and use of a weapon of mass destruction, saying both men told police they were inspired by ISIS (Balat allegedly wrote he had ‘pledged allegiance’ and spoke of planning an attack larger than the Boston Marathon bombing).”
Local reporting lists additional charges such as transportation and interstate receipt of explosive materials and unlawful possession of destructive devices. Both remain jailed as proceedings continue.
Investigation into ISIS-inspired motive
Investigators say statements and other evidence indicate an "ISIS-inspired" motive, but they are probing whether the pair acted on directives or were self-radicalized online. The complaint includes alleged references to ISIS, an alleged written pledge of allegiance, and shouted references during arrest. Law enforcement cautioned that "supporting ISIS" in the complaint does not necessarily mean direct contact with the group.
Response to attempted attack
City leaders and investigators condemned the attempt. They said they will hold the suspects to account and keep the city on heightened alert. Mayor Mamdani and other officials described the rally and the attempted attack in strongly critical terms and emphasized protection of peaceful protest.
“Mayor Zohran Mamdani and first lady Rama Duwaji, who are Muslim, were home during the commotion; Mamdani condemned the violence and called the attempted use of an explosive ‘criminal’ and ‘reprehensible.’”
The FBI and federal prosecutors are treating the case as attempted terrorism. The defendants have sought protective custody while the legal process proceeds.