ISIS-Inspired Bucks County Teens Allegedly Attempt to Detonate 'Mother of Satan' IEDs at Gracie Mansion

Federal authorities arrested two teens from Bucks County, Pennsylvania — 18-year-old Emir Balat and 19-year-old Ibrahim Kayumi — after alleging they planned and attempted an 'ISIS-inspired' attack near Gracie Mansion, the New York City mayor's residence.

“Bucks County teens held in 'ISIS-inspired' NYC terrorism plot: Live - Two Pennsylvania teens are in custody for an alleged "Isis-inspired act of terrorism" outside Gracie Mansion in NYC”

Buckeyes Wire

Sources say the arrests followed an incident in which the pair were charged after allegedly throwing an improvised explosive device at Gracie Mansion during a violent weekend protest.

Buckeyes Wire

The teens were arrested March 7 and indicted March 9 on federal terrorism charges.

Authorities say the device involved highly unstable triacetone triperoxide (TATP) — reportedly made from sports-drink bottles — a compound often called "Mother of Satan."

Federal prosecutors have charged the teens with a range of explosives and terrorism-related offenses.

City & State New York

The Buckeyes Wire listing of charges includes "use of a weapon of mass destruction" among counts such as transportation and receipt of explosive materials and unlawful possession of destructive devices.

Unsealed court documents and law-enforcement sources cited in reporting say the two admitted viewing ISIS propaganda and described motivations tied to extremist ideology and local political clashes.

“Investigators are treating a chaotic incident where two men allegedly attempted to detonate homemade bombs during a protest near Gracie Mansion over the weekend as an “act of ISIS-inspired terrorism,” Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Monday, referring to the Islamic State group”

Gothamist

The New York Post reported that the pair 'admitted to officers that they watched ISIS videos, had self-radicalized, and targeted right-wing demonstrators.'

Buckeyes Wire quotes investigators saying Balat wanted an attack 'even bigger' than the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.

Buckeyes Wire also reported that Kayumi 'reportedly claimed affiliation with ISIS, said he had viewed ISIS propaganda, and allegedly supplied the explosive.'

Reporting highlights overseas travel.

Investigators are probing whether the trips indicate self-radicalization or external recruitment.

justice.gov

The New York Post says Balat spent "more than three months in Istanbul last year" while Kayumi traveled "to Istanbul and Saudi Arabia in 2024 and to Melbourne in 2019."

Buckeyes Wire notes federal investigators are examining the teens' travel history to determine whether they were self-radicalized or recruited.

Coverage reports on the legal and community aftermath of the case.

“A pair of ISIS-trained extremists were charged with hurling an IED at Gracie Mansion duringa rowdy weekend protest — allegedly packing the homemade bomb with “Mother of Satan,” a volatile explosive favored by international terrorists”

New York Post

The indictment includes counts for providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist group.

New York Post

Federal and local law enforcement executed searches of suburban homes.

Reporting outlines family backgrounds and notes that residents and relatives largely declined to comment as investigations continue.

Buckeyes Wire details the charges and family histories and says "FBI and police searched homes in suburban neighborhoods; neighbors and family members largely declined to comment, and residents described feeling besieged by the press."

The New York Post and City & State pieces provide the initial charging information and update context.