Emir Balat And Ibrahim Kayumi Attempted To Detonate Explosives At NYC Mayor's Mansion, Citing ISIS

On March 7, 2026, two men identified as Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi were arrested outside New York City’s mayoral residence, Gracie Mansion, after allegedly throwing homemade explosive devices during a counterprotest to an anti‑Islam demonstration.

“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”

6abc Action News

Authorities say the devices did not explode.

6abc Action News

Multiple outlets reported the arrests and location, describing the incident as taking place near Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s official residence and noting the devices failed to detonate.

Federal prosecutors unsealed charges against Balat and Kayumi that include attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and using a weapon of mass destruction.

Both men have been ordered held without bail after a brief court appearance.

ABC

News reports from U.S. outlets and wire services consistently described the counts as federal terrorism charges and noted the defendants’ detention status pending further court proceedings.

Investigators said one of the improvised devices tested positive for the highly volatile explosive triacetone triperoxide (TATP).

“Men who brought explosives to NYC protest cited Islamic State as inspiration, complaint says Men who brought explosives to NYC protest cited Islamic State as inspiration, complaint says NEW YORK (AP) — Two men who brought explosives to a far-right protest outside New York City’s mayoral mansion said they were inspired by the Islamic State extremist group, according to a court complaint”

Associated Press

They said the devices were packed with nuts and bolts.

Authorities also recovered a third suspicious device in a vehicle linked to the suspects.

Investigators reported finding a hobby fuse, an empty metal can and a notebook listing chemical ingredients.

Body-cam footage and forensic testing were cited in multiple accounts as part of the evidentiary basis.

Prosecutors and court filings say both defendants referenced the Islamic State in post-arrest statements or writings.

Balat is reported to have written he had "pledged allegiance to the Islamic state" and to have spoken of wanting an attack "even bigger" than the Boston Marathon bombing.

BBC

Kayumi reportedly blurted "ISIS" at his arrest and said he watched ISIS material and considered himself affiliated; authorities said it was not yet clear whether they were directed by others or self-radicalized.

Multiple outlets published those post-arrest quotes and noted officials were still investigating any external ties.

The incident unfolded amid a small, anti-Islam rally led by far-right activist Jake Lang and a much larger group of counterprotesters.

“Federal prosecutors charged two men for allegedly bringing improvised explosive devices to a protest outside the mayor’s residence in New York, in what authorities described as an act of “ISIS-inspired” terrorism”

Bloomberg

Officials said they were conducting searches in Pennsylvania and emphasized there was no indication the arrests were linked to the war in Iran.

Bloomberg

Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned the anti-Islam demonstration as 'rooted in bigotry and racism.'

Law enforcement stressed the case was being treated as an attempted ISIS-inspired terror attack.

Reports also noted a separate arrest of an anti-Islam demonstrator for pepper-spraying counterprotesters.