Two Pennsylvania men are facing federal terrorism charges after authorities say they carried out an ISIS-inspired attack outside New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s residence. Investigators identified the suspects as 18-year-old Emir Balat and 19-year-old Ibrahim Kayumi. Both were arrested Saturday outside Gracie Mansion after allegedly throwing improvised explosive devices toward protesters gathered near the mayor’s home.
New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the incident was a planned attack driven by extremist ideology linked to ISIS. According to investigators, Kayumi told authorities he had watched ISIS propaganda videos and was influenced by the group. Balat later allegedly pledged allegiance to ISIS in writing while in custody and told investigators he wanted to carry out an attack larger than the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.
Federal prosecutors announced multiple charges against the pair, including attempted material support for a designated foreign terrorist organization and use of a weapon of mass destruction. Authorities said the homemade devices were built using sports drink bottles filled with explosives and packed with nuts and bolts for fragmentation. At least one device reportedly contained the volatile explosive TATP. No fatalities were reported, and the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is leading the ongoing investigation.
