Federal authorities have charged two Pennsylvania teenagers, Emir Balat, 18, and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, with terrorism-related offenses after they allegedly detonated and hurled improvised explosive devices (IEDs) near the residence of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The devices, which contained the volatile substance triacetone triperoxide (TATP), were described by officials as designed "to injure, maim or worse." During their apprehension, both suspects reportedly pledged allegiance to ISIS. One of the suspects allegedly stated they intended to carry out an attack "bigger than the Boston Marathon bombing," which caused three deaths.
ALLEGED AMBITIONS AND DEVICES
The incident occurred on Saturday during dueling demonstrations outside Gracie Mansion, the mayor's home. According to a federal criminal complaint, Balat and Kayumi ignited and threw two devices toward a crowd. Preliminary testing confirmed that at least one device contained TATP, a substance frequently used in extremist attacks, along with materials like nuts, bolts, and screws intended to function as shrapnel. Officials reported that one device tested negative for explosive material.
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"The devices contained the volatile substance triacetone triperoxide, known as TATP, and were made to 'injure, maim or worse,'” stated Tisch, referring to the Saturday incident.
The suspects were apprehended near the mayor's residence. One suspect allegedly told officers they aimed for an attack surpassing the scale of the Boston Marathon bombing, citing its relatively low death toll.
INVESTIGATION AND BACKGROUND
Balat and Kayumi, both from Pennsylvania, are facing federal charges including attempted provision of material support to a terrorist organization and use of a weapon of mass destruction. Law enforcement conducted raids on a Public Storage facility in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, as part of the ongoing investigation, and are reportedly looking into any overseas travel undertaken by the suspects.
"After the first explosive device was thrown, Tisch said that Balat ran to grab a second explosive device from Kayumi, who has ties to Newtown Township." (nbcphiladelphia.com)
Mayor Mamdani, the city's first Muslim mayor, and his wife, Rama Duwaji, were not at Gracie Mansion at the time of the incident. Separately, Ian McGinnis, 21, was arrested during the protest for allegedly pepper-spraying counterprotesters; his attorney claimed he was acting in self-defense. Neighbors of Emir Balat expressed disbelief at his alleged involvement.
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