Two Men Indicted for ISIS-Inspired Bomb Attack Near Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s Residence
A federal grand jury has indicted two Pennsylvania teenagers charged with conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction following a violent clash outside the official residence of Fresh York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The suspects, Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi, allegedly deployed homemade explosive devices during a series of dueling protests on March 7, 2026, in an attack authorities describe as being inspired by ISIS.
The Incident at Gracie Mansion
The chaos unfolded on the Upper East Side when an anti-Islam protest, organized by far-right influencer Jake Lang, collided with a counter-protest titled “Run the Nazis Out of New York City/Stand Against Hate.” While the NYPD worked to separate the groups, tensions peaked when a protester used pepper spray against the counter-demonstrators.
According to federal complaints, Emir Balat, 18, allegedly lit and threw an ignited device toward the crowd. After fleeing, Balat reportedly retrieved a second device from Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, which he also lit before dropping it. While no devices exploded, the NYPD’s bomb squad confirmed the items were not hoaxes or smoke bombs, but actual improvised explosive devices (IEDs) capable of causing serious injury or death.
Federal Charges and Terrorist Links
Balat and Kayumi have been in federal custody since their arrest. The indictment includes five counts for each suspect, including:
- Attempted support to a designated foreign terrorist organization (ISIS)
- Use of a weapon of mass destruction
- Transportation of explosive materials
- Unlawful possession of destructive devices
- Interstate transportation and receipt of explosives
Investigators revealed that both men told authorities they had watched ISIS videos. New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch characterized the event as a “planned attack motivated by extremist ideology” and inspired by a violent foreign terrorist organization.
The Danger of TATP Explosives
Testing conducted by the NYPD revealed that one of the deployed devices contained triacetone triperoxide, commonly known as TATP. Commissioner Tisch described TATP as a homemade explosive that is exceptionally dangerous and highly volatile. In addition to the devices used during the protest, authorities discovered another suspicious device in a car approximately three blocks south of Gracie Mansion the following day.
Mayor Mamdani’s Response
Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has faced verbal attacks regarding his religion, issued a statement denouncing the violence and thanking the responding police officers. He defended his faith while making it clear that any form of violence is unacceptable.
Key Takeaways
- Suspects: Emir Balat (18) and Ibrahim Kayumi (19), both from Pennsylvania.
- The Weapon: Improvised explosive devices containing TATP, a volatile homemade explosive.
- Motivation: The suspects claimed to have watched ISIS videos; the attack is described as ISIS-inspired.
- Charges: Federal counts including the use of a weapon of mass destruction and support for a foreign terrorist organization.
- Outcome: No devices exploded, and the suspects remain in federal custody.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the suspects in the Gracie Mansion bombing attempt?
The suspects are Emir Balat of Langhorne, Pennsylvania, and Ibrahim Kayumi of Newton, Pennsylvania. Despite their cooperation during the incident, an attorney for the accused stated the two men are from different parts of the state and did not previously know each other.
What is TATP and why is it dangerous?
TATP (triacetone triperoxide) is a homemade explosive known for being highly volatile and unstable, making it extremely dangerous to handle and prone to accidental detonation.
Was anyone injured during the attack?
No devices exploded during the incident, and there were no reports of injuries resulting from the explosives, while the NYPD noted the devices could have caused serious injury or death.
Current Legal Status
As of April 9, 2026, Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi remain in federal custody. While they have been officially indicted, their arraignment date has not yet been scheduled.