2 men are charged with using a weapon of mass destruction after IEDs are tossed near NYC mayor’s home
Homemade Bombs Tossed Near NYC Mayor’s Residence Prompt Federal Charges
Two individuals, Emir Balat, 18, and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, have been charged with providing material assistance to a terrorist group and utilizing a weapon of mass destruction following the deployment of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) during demonstrations near the home of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Saturday, legal filings reveal.
The pair also face additional accusations, including the transport of explosive materials, unlawful possession of destructive devices, and the interstate movement and receipt of explosives, as outlined in a criminal complaint submitted to federal court. Body-worn camera evidence from the incident shows Kayumi being transported into an NYPD vehicle post-arrest, where a bystander inquired about his motives. Kayumi responded with “ISIS,” according to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch during a Monday press briefing.
“After waiving his Miranda rights, Kayumi stated he had viewed ISIS propaganda on his phone and that his actions were partly inspired by the group,” Tisch explained.
Balat, while inside a police car without being questioned, claimed, “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 would come and do it,” the complaint noted. He also confirmed allegiance to the extremist group, the document said.
“Law enforcement asked Balat if he was familiar with the Boston Marathon bombing and whether that was his goal. He replied, ‘No, even bigger. It was only three deaths,’” the complaint added.
ISIS-Inspired Acts Could Have Led to Severe Consequences
“These were ISIS-inspired actions, and it is chilling that they aimed for more than the Boston Marathon, more than three deaths,” said Jay Clayton, US attorney for the Southern District of New York, at the same news conference.
The initial IED, which failed to detonate, was hurled during a confrontation between anti-Islam protesters and counterprotesters. The same individual later ignited a second bomb, dropped it on the street, and fled, Tisch reported. Both devices did not explode, though preliminary tests confirmed they were capable of causing serious harm or fatalities.
A third device, discovered on Sunday, is under investigation for its connection to Saturday’s event. However, it tested negative for explosive material, Tisch clarified. Controlled detonations of the two IEDs conducted by NYPD and FBI technicians resulted in a significant blast, noted Rebecca Weiner, NYPD’s deputy commissioner of intelligence and counterterrorism.
“It’s critical to highlight that if these IEDs had operated as intended by the perpetrators, they could have led to death and widespread destruction,” Weiner emphasized.
Protest Dynamics and Suspects’ Backgrounds
The Saturday clash occurred during an anti-Islam rally organized by a right-wing instigator, overshadowed by over 100 counterprotesters, officials stated. Both suspects arrived in the city via the George Washington Bridge and were arrested approximately an hour later after the devices were deployed, Tisch confirmed. They have no prior criminal records, she added.
Mehdi Essmidi, Balat’s attorney, told CNN that the defendant is a high school student who recently turned 18 and resides with his parents in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, a suburb about an hour north of Philadelphia. “The family is still shocked by the events, and they’ve fully cooperated with investigators,” Essmidi said, noting that search warrants were executed at both suspects’ homes.
“They are regular Americans who have shown compliance with law enforcement. There has been no resistance or complications,” Essmidi stated. Kayumi is represented by a public federal defender, while Balat’s case is handled by his legal team. Both were placed in federal custody following their arrests.