Two men charged with terror offences after homemade bomb thrown outside NYC mayor’s home
Two Men Indicted for Terrorism-Related Charges After Bomb Attempt at NYC Mayor’s Residence
Law enforcement authorities in New York City have charged two individuals with terrorism offenses following an incident where they attempted to detonate explosives near the mayor’s residence. The suspects, 18-year-old Emir Balat and 19-year-old Ibrahim Kayumi, allegedly targeted the protest outside Gracie Mansion, where Mayor Zohran Mamdani resides, as part of an attack inspired by the Islamic State group (IS).
According to police, the pair aimed to create a “larger” explosion than the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, which resulted in three fatalities. The devices were discovered outside the mayor’s home, with a third bomb found in their vehicle. Despite the effort, none of the explosives activated as intended.
“We were fortunate that the devices used this weekend did not cause the kind of harm they were capable of,” said New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch during a Monday press briefing. “But luck is never a strategy.”
Footage from the scene showed one suspect being arrested shortly after triggering an ignited device, which failed to explode. Tisch noted that the explosives contained triacetone triperoxide—a homemade, highly volatile compound linked to previous terror incidents. She emphasized the potential for significant casualties if the devices had detonated.
During their initial court appearance, the two men wore prison jumpsuits, and a federal magistrate judge ordered their detention until 8 April. Balat’s attorney described him as a high school senior with no prior arrests, though he faces charges such as providing material support to IS and using a weapon of mass destruction.
Both suspects waived their right to remain silent after arrest. Balat reportedly wrote a statement pledging allegiance to IS and calling for the deaths of nonbelievers, per court records. Kayumi stated he was affiliated with the group and had been influenced by IS propaganda on his phone.
Mayor Mamdani condemned the attack, stating that the individuals “should be held fully accountable for their actions.” He reaffirmed the city’s commitment to safety, vowing to prevent terrorism and violence. Tisch added that the NYPD remains active in counter-terrorism efforts, highlighting the heightened alert due to the US-Israel conflict in Iran.
Tisch also revealed a car on the Upper East Side was connected to the suspects, with a robot uncovering an additional explosive device inside. The protest, organized by Jake Lang—a far-right influencer and former riot participant—was outnumbered by a counter-protest with over 100 demonstrators. Video evidence confirmed Balat hurled the first device, which extinguished after hitting a barrier, before retrieving a second from Kayumi.
The BBC has sought comments from the lawyers of both Balat and Kayumi, who were involved in the attack. The incident underscores the growing threat of domestic terrorism, with the suspects’ statements reflecting IS ideology and intentions.
