Two teenagers accused of bringing explosives to a protest outside New York City’s mayoral residence were inspired by the Islamic State, according to federal prosecutors.
Emir Balat, 18, and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, have been charged with using a weapon of mass destruction and providing material support to ISIS, among other related crimes, according to a criminal complaint filed in Manhattan.
Balat, a senior in high school, reportedly told investigators he wanted an attack to be “even bigger” than the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013, when two pressure-cooker bombs exploded near the finish line, killing three people and injuring hundreds of others, according to the complaint.
Kayumi allegedly shouted out that he was inspired by ISIS while he was being arrested, prosecutors say.
They were indicted Monday.
There does not appear to be any connection between the men’s alleged bomb-throwing and the U.S.-Israel war in Iran, according to police.
Neither New York City Zohran Mamdani nor first lady Rama Duwaji were inside Gracie Mansion at the time of the alleged attack.
Two improvised explosive devices, or IEDs, were ignited outside the property on Saturday during a volatile protest led by far-right, anti-Islam activist Jake Lang, whose group was met with an even larger group of counter-protesters.
An object containing nuts, bolts, screws and a “hobby fuse” was then tossed into the crowd, according to police.
One of the devices contained triacetone triperoxide, “a dangerous and highly volatile homemade explosive that has been used in IED attacks around the world,” according to New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
The device appeared to have extinguished itself as it rolled towards officers. Another device that was dropped at the scene did not appear to ignite, Tisch said.
Police at the scene “faced a chaotic situation that very quickly could have become far more dangerous,” Mamdani said Monday.
“While I found this protest appalling, I will not waver in my belief that it should be allowed to happen,” added Mamdani, who is the city’s first Muslim mayor. “I will defend that right every day I am mayor, even when those protesting say things that I abhor.”
This is a developing story
About the Author
