Two Pennsylvania Teens Charged in ISIS-Inspired Bomb Plot at NYC Protest Near Mayor's Residence

New York City - Federal authorities have charged two teenagers from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, with terrorism-related offenses following an attempted bombing during a chaotic protest outside Gracie Mansion, the official residence of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, on Saturday, March 7, 2026.

Emir Balat, 18, of Langhorne (Middletown Township), and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, of Newtown, both U.S. citizens, face multiple federal counts, including attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization (ISIS), using a weapon of mass destruction, transportation and possession of explosive devices, and related charges. They were arrested at the scene and are being held without bail.

According to the criminal complaint unsealed by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, the suspects drove from Pennsylvania to Manhattan and joined counterprotesters at a small far-right anti-Islam rally organized by activist Jake Lang. The event drew counterprotests amid heightened tensions during Ramadan.

Balat was photographed hurling a smoking device containing triacetone triperoxide (TATP)-a volatile explosive commonly known as "Mother of Satan" and used in prior terrorist attacks-along with shrapnel such as nuts and bolts. The device failed to fully detonate and caused no injuries. He then dropped a second device near police officers before being tackled and arrested.

On March 7, 2026, amid protests outside Gracie Mansion (NYC), a counterprotester threw an ISIS-inspired IED toward an anti-Islam demonstration area. A second device was nearby. Neither detonated; no injuries reported.Two suspects (Emir Balat, 18; Ibrahim Kayumi, 19) arrested. Federal charges include material support to ISIS and weapon of mass destruction use. Incident investigated as ISIS-inspired terrorism.

In statements captured on police body-worn cameras and during interviews, Balat proclaimed allegiance to ISIS, stating, "All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all worlds! I pledge my allegiance to the Islamic State," and defended his actions in reference to insults against the Prophet. He reportedly told investigators the intended attack would be "even bigger" than the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, which killed three people and injured hundreds.

Kayumi, when asked about his motive during arrest, reportedly responded "ISIS" and admitted to consuming ISIS propaganda videos. Both suspects expressed inspiration from the group, though authorities have not disclosed evidence of direct operational ties to ISIS beyond self-radicalization.

The New York Police Department, led by Commissioner Jessica Tisch, described the incident as an "ISIS-inspired act of terrorism." The FBI conducted searches, including at a Pennsylvania storage unit linked to the suspects.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the city's first Muslim mayor and a target of criticism from the rally organizers, was not present at Gracie Mansion during the incident, nor was his wife. In a statement, Mamdani condemned the act as "heinous terrorism" and affirmed that those responsible would be held fully accountable, emphasizing a commitment to public safety.

The case has drawn scrutiny to media coverage. A CNN article and accompanying X post by reporters Taylor Romine, Gloria Pazmino, and Holly Yan initially described the suspects as "two Pennsylvania teenagers" who traveled to the city "for what could've been a normal day enjoying the city during abnormally warm weather," before their arrests for throwing homemade bombs. CNN deleted the X post and added an editor's note to the article, stating the language "failed to reflect the gravity of the incident" and breached editorial standards.

No injuries occurred from the devices, and the investigation continues into the suspects' backgrounds and planning. Balat, a senior at Neshaminy High School, was portrayed by his attorney as a "confused teenager" facing personal challenges, though prosecutors emphasized the severity of the alleged plot.