Two men from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, have been charged in connection with an “ISIS-inspired” attack that unfolded over the weekend outside New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s residence, where homemade bombs ignited during a protest.
Bucks County Men Charged in Alleged Terror Plot
Emir Balat, 18, and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, both from the Philadelphia suburbs, were arrested following Saturday’s protest. Neshaminy High School officials confirmed Balat is a senior enrolled in virtual classes and has not attended in-person since September. Kayumi is a 2024 graduate of Council Rock High School North.
On Monday, the Southern District of New York charged Balat and Kayumi with five counts, including attempted support to a designated foreign terrorist organization (ISIS), use of a weapon of mass destruction, and transportation of explosive material.
New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated that both men admitted to being inspired by ISIS. Tisch added that Balat told investigators he desired to carry out a larger attack.
According to Tisch, Balat wrote a statement declaring his allegiance to the Islamic State while waiving his Miranda rights. Kayumi reportedly told police he had been watching ISIS propaganda on his phone.
U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated, “This was an alleged ISIS-inspired act of terrorism that could have killed American citizens. We will not allow ISIS’s poisonous, anti-American ideology to threaten this nation.”
IEDs Found Outside Mayor’s Residence
Officials said two of the devices found outside Mamdani’s residence were improvised explosive devices (IEDs) capable of causing serious injury or death. A third device discovered Sunday remains under investigation.
The indictment against Balat and Kayumi details one of the explosives being dubbed the “Mother of Satan.” Preliminary testing revealed it contained triacetone triperoxide, a volatile explosive used in previous terrorist attacks, according to the FBI.
U.S. Attorney of the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton said, “These were ISIS-inspired actions, and it’s chilling that they wanted to do something more than the Boston Marathon.”
FBI Investigation in Bucks County
The FBI conducted a court-authorized search Monday at a storage facility in Langhorne, Bucks County, in connection with the terrorism case. FBI bomb technicians were seen searching for additional evidence.
A large law enforcement presence was observed throughout Bucks County on Sunday following the protest in New York City. Officers with weapons drawn were seen around Balat’s address in Langhorne, and three individuals exited the home after an FBI announcement.
Newtown Township police assisted the FBI with an investigation Sunday afternoon at Kayumi’s residence. Court documents indicate Kayumi was reported missing by his mother on the morning of the protest.
Protest at Gracie Mansion
The protest near Gracie Mansion on Saturday was organized by individuals associated with Jake Lang, a pardoned Jan. 6 rioter and far-right influencer, according to Tisch. A counterprotest, titled “Run the Nazis Out of New York City/Stand Against Hate,” also drew over 100 participants.
Witnesses reported Balat lit and threw an ignited device toward protesters. The device struck a barrier a few feet from police officers and extinguished itself. A man was heard yelling “Allahu Akbar” as Balat threw the device, according to verified video footage.
Tisch said Balat then obtained a second device from Kayumi, lit it, and ran before dropping it on East End Avenue.
Ian McGinnis, 21, of Philadelphia, was charged with assault, reckless endangerment, and possession of a noxious material (pepper spray) after allegedly using pepper spray on counter-protesters. Three others were charged with disorderly conduct and obstruction.
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