New York: 2 detained as attempted bomb attack targets Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s residence
A video published by independent news agency Freedomnews captured the moment a suspect handed the device to another shortly before an arrest was made outside the mansion. According to police, the recovered device consisted of a jar wrapped in black tape and filled with nuts, bolts, screws and fuses.
These arrests were part of a wider police crackdown in which six people were detained following a chaotic clash between rival protest groups at the official residence.
The violence broke out when an anti-Islamic demonstration organized by right-wing influencer Jake Lang clashed with a larger counter-protest during the holy month of Ramadan, leading to two “suspicious” devices being set off and spread, CNN reported.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica S Tisch confirmed that these items, described as slightly smaller than a football, are currently being analyzed to determine whether they are functional improvised explosive devices or hoaxes.
Detailing the alarming nature of the deployment, CNN reported that Commissioner Tisch said during a press conference: “Witnesses reported seeing flames and smoke floating through the air before crashing into a barrier and extinguishing itself several feet away from officers.”
According to CNN, the investigation into whether the devices contained “energetic material” is ongoing to determine the actual threat level to those present. The escalation reportedly began shortly after noon when a participant from the anti-Islamic group allegedly used pepper spray against counter-protesters. CNN reported that about 20 minutes later, an 18-year-old counter-protester “lit a firearm and threw it toward the protest site,” which landed in the crosswalk.
After the first shot, the same suspect reportedly ran towards a 19-year-old employee to retrieve a second device. He also burned this second object before leaving it on the street as officers moved to secure the area. Both men were among six people detained during a police sweep.
Afterwards, CNN reported that Mayor Mamdan and his wife Rama Duwaji were safe. A spokesman for the mayor described the meeting organized by Lang as “vile and Islamophobic” and said the events were “a stark reminder of the threats they both face on a regular basis”. “.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul confirmed that she had been briefed on the situation, stating that the state respected the right to peacefully protest but had “zero tolerance for hatred or violence.” Police said there was no indication that the incident was linked to ongoing international conflicts.
