Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi Throw Islamic State‑Inspired Homemade Bomb at Anti‑Islam Protesters

On March 7, two Pennsylvania men — 18-year-old Emir Balat and 19-year-old Ibrahim Kayumi — were arrested after homemade explosive devices were thrown during an anti-Muslim/anti-Islam rally outside New York’s mayoral residence, Gracie Mansion.

“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

Multiple outlets say the devices were ignited or hurled but did not detonate.

6abc Action News

No one was injured.

The case is being handled as an ISIS-inspired terrorism investigation and federal terrorism charges were filed.

Officials and journalists provided consistent descriptions of the devices and their on-scene behavior.

At least one jar-like improvised device contained screws, bolts and a fuse, and initial testing flagged triacetone triperoxide (TATP) in at least one item.

ABC

Video and photos show a smoking, lit device being thrown and then extinguishing near officers, and a second device dropped nearby.

Law enforcement recovered a third suspicious device from a vehicle and sent samples for further testing.

Federal prosecutors and investigators say the two defendants made statements or otherwise signaled inspiration or affiliation with the Islamic State; court filings and complaints cited alleged pledges of allegiance, references to ISIS, and comments about wanting an attack "even bigger" or "larger" than the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.

Police and prosecutors have charged the pair with terrorism-related counts including attempted provision of material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization and use of a weapon of mass destruction.

Authorities have treated the case as a federal terrorism investigation.

The two were federally indicted on multiple counts and held without bail after arraignment.

Associated Press

The FBI and Joint Terrorism Task Force have executed searches and raids in Pennsylvania, including a storage unit and homes tied to the suspects.

Agents are trying to determine motive and any wider planning.

Many outlets note investigators continue to probe details and have not disclosed all findings.

The incident unfolded amid an anti‑Islam demonstration organized by far‑right activist Jake Lang and a larger counterprotest.

“That attack, which happened in 2013 as runners were crossing the finish line of the Boston Marathon, left three people dead and hundreds of runners and spectators injured, including many who lost limbs”

BBC

Witnesses and city officials described pepper‑spraying and chaotic scenes.

BBC

Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned the violence while defending protesters' right to assemble.

Most sources identify the mayor as Zohran Mamdani, though at least one outlet used a different name for the mayor, a contradiction among the coverage.