Two young men have been charged with several federal crimes after authorities say they hurled homemade explosive devices during protests near the residence of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
According to a criminal complaint filed in federal court, 18-year-old Emir Balat and 19-year-old Ibrahim Kayumi are facing multiple charges, including providing material support to a terrorist organisation and using a weapon of mass destruction. They are also accused of transporting explosive materials, unlawfully possessing destructive devices, and transporting and receiving explosives across state lines.
Investigators say the incident occurred Saturday during a confrontation between anti-Islam protesters and counterprotesters gathered near the mayor’s home.
Authorities said body-camera footage shows Kayumi making a disturbing statement while being taken into custody. According to the criminal complaint, as he was placed into an NYPD vehicle after his arrest, “a person in the crowd asked why he’d done this,” and Kayumi responded with “ISIS,” NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said during a Monday afternoon press conference.
Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi have been charged with committing a heinous act of terrorism and proclaiming their allegiance to ISIS.
— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) March 9, 2026
They should be held fully accountable for their actions.
We will continue to keep New Yorkers safe. We will not tolerate terrorism or violence in…
Police said Kayumi later waived his Miranda rights and spoke with investigators. According to Tisch, he admitted that extremist propaganda had influenced his actions.
“He had watched ISIS propaganda on his phone and that his actions that day were partly inspired by ISIS,” Tisch said.
Balat also made statements to police officers without being questioned. Tisch said he expressed support for violent action while referencing the Prophet.
“This isn’t a religion that just stands when people talk about the blessed name of the Prophet. We take action … If I didn’t do it someone else will come and do it.”
Authorities say Balat also told investigators he had pledged allegiance to the extremist group, according to court documents. Investigators later asked him if he was familiar with the Boston Marathon bombing and whether that attack was similar to what he hoped to achieve. According to the complaint, Balat responded: “No, even bigger. It was only three deaths.”
Federal prosecutors emphasized the seriousness of the threat posed by the suspects’ alleged actions.
“These were ISIS-inspired actions, and it is chilling that they wanted to do something more than the Boston Marathon, more than three deaths,” Jay Clayton, US attorney for the Southern District of New York, said during the press conference.
Police say the first improvised explosive device was thrown during the protest but failed to detonate. Officials said the same suspect later lit another device, dropped it in the street, and ran away. That device also did not explode.
“Preliminary test results determined that these were not hoax devices, nor smoke bombs. They were improvised explosive devices that could have caused serious injury or death,” Tisch said at a news conference Monday morning alongside the mayor.
Investigators later discovered a third device on Sunday, which authorities are also examining for possible links to the Saturday incident. Tisch said that the third device tested negative for explosive material.
Officials said the demonstration had been organised by a right-wing provocateur and involved a relatively small group of anti-Islam protesters. More than 100 counterprotesters also gathered at the scene, significantly outnumbering the original group.
Police reported that the suspects entered New York City through the George Washington Bridge and were arrested about an hour after the devices were thrown.
Authorities said neither Balat nor Kayumi has a prior criminal record.
The incident took place during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Mayor Mamdani, the city’s first Muslim mayor, said he and his wife, Rama Duwaji, were not present at Gracie Mansion at the time of the protest.
“The police department has determined that these were improvised explosive devices made to injure, maim or worse,” Mamdani said. “Anyone who comes to New York City to bring violence to our streets will be held accountable in accordance with the law.”
