Surveillance Video Shows Emir Balat Buying Fuse Days Before Alleged Gracie Mansion Bombing

Surveillance video obtained by CBS News and reported across outlets shows Emir Balat, an 18-year-old Pennsylvania man charged with terrorism, buying a roll of safety fuse days before an incident outside Gracie Mansion.

VINnews states that “Surveillance video shows Emir Balat, the 18-year-old Pennsylvania man charged with terrorism for allegedly throwing homemade bombs into a crowd near Gracie Mansion, purchasing a safety fuse days before the attack, according to reporting by CBS News.”

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CBS News similarly reported that “Surveillance video provided to CBS News shows Balat walking inside and shopping at Phantom Fireworks at 12:46 p.m. local time on March 2, five days before the incident.”

The Daily Wire also summarized the footage: “Emir Balat, 18, allegedly bought a roll of safety fuse at a Phantom Fireworks store in Penndel, Pennsylvania, on March 2, five days before the incident near Gracie Mansion, the official residence of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, according to surveillance video obtained by CBS News.”

Reports specify the item, time and location: surveillance footage reportedly shows Balat entering a Phantom Fireworks store in Penndel, Pennsylvania at about 12:46 p.m. on March 2 and purchasing a 20-foot roll of safety fuse.

VINnews describes the purchase, writing that video “shows Balat entering the store around 12:46 p.m. on March 2 and apparently buying a 20-foot roll of safety fuse — a thick, twine-like cord commonly used to ignite fireworks.”

CBS News

CBS News provides matching detail: “Video from inside the store shows Balat purchasing a 20-foot roll of safety fuse, which looks and feels like thick twine, for $6.89 including tax, according to Weimer.”

The Daily Wire repeats those specifics: “The footage reportedly shows Balat entering the store at 12:46 p.m. and purchasing a 20-foot roll of safety fuse for $6.89.”

Phantom Fireworks officials told CBS News the purchase did not appear suspicious and described the visit as uneventful.

“One of the suspects accused of throwing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) at protesters outside the New York City mayor’s residence purchased materials used in the attack just days beforehand at a Pennsylvania fireworks store, according to a report”

The Daily Wire

VINnews reports that “William Weimer, vice president and general counsel for Phantom Fireworks, told CBS News the transaction did not appear suspicious.”

CBS News quoted Weimer directly: “Coming in and buying that was uneventful,” Weimer told CBS News in a phone interview.

The Daily Wire also relayed Weimer’s comment: “Coming in and buying that was uneventful,” Phantom Fireworks Vice President and General Counsel William Weimer told CBS News.”

Authorities have charged Balat in connection with the incident and federal investigators are treating the case as a potential act of terrorism, according to the reporting.

VINnews describes Balat as “the 18-year-old Pennsylvania man charged with terrorism for throwing two homemade bombs into a crowd Saturday” near the mayor’s residence.

6abc Action News

CBS News framed the individual as “One of two men accused of at protesters Saturday outside the New York City mayor's residence” and reported the purchase details that tie to the investigation.

The Daily Wire adds that “The FBI is investigating the attack as a potential act of terrorism. In a statement on Monday, FBI Director Kash Patel said, ‘The defendants allegedly support ISIS and tried to follow the path of that deadly group by attempting to detonate explosive devices in a crowd.’”