Accused ISIS plotter bought fireworks fuse days before NYC attack
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BUCKS COUNTY, Pa. — One of two Pennsylvania men accused of planning an ISIS-inspired terrorist attack in New York City allegedly purchased firework fuses from a suburban Pennsylvania store just days before he allegedly threw explosive devices at protesters outside Gracie Mansion.
Emir Balat, 18, of Langhorne, appears to have purchased a 20-foot roll of consumer safety insurance from Phantom Fireworks in Penndel on March 2, according to retailer and surveillance footage obtained by Fox News Digital.
The purchase was made two days after the United States and Israel attacked Iran.
In the video, Balat is seen entering the store’s parking lot and entering. He briefly steps out of camera view, speaks with a retail employee, and completes his $6.89 purchase at the checkout counter before returning to the counter with the insurance.
GUARANTEES WERE MADE IN NEW JERSEY, PENNSYLVANIA WHILE THE Fed INVESTIGATED POSSIBLE NYC TERRORISM
Security camera footage shows a person believed to be Emir Balat buying fireworks fuses in Pennsylvania on March 2. (Image courtesy of Phantom Fireworks)
“The only product purchased was 20-foot consumer fireworks safety insurance,” Phantom Fireworks Vice President and General Counsel William Weimer told Fox News Digital. “Total spend was $6.89 including tax.”
Five days later, Balat and 19-year-old Ibrahim Kayumi from Newtown allegedly threw live explosives at a protest in front of the official residence of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Approximately 20 participants attended the “Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City: Stop Public Muslim Prayer in New York City.”
CNN WAS A VICTIM FOR A ‘BIZARRE’ POST ABOUT PENNSYLVANIA TEENAGERS ACCUSED OF THROWING A BOMB AT A PROTEST IN NYC
Security camera footage shows Emir Balat buying fireworks fuses in Pennsylvania on March 2. (Image courtesy of Phantom Fireworks)
About 125 people attended the peak of the counter-protest, titled “Kick the Nazis out of New York City: Stand Up to Hate.”
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said tensions rose shortly before noon when a protester associated with Lang used pepper spray on counterprotesters, even though NYPD officers separated the groups into designated areas. Officers investigated “for some time” before making the arrest.
STORAGE FACILITY RAIDED WHILE FED INVESTIGATES CLAIMS OF ISIS-INSPIRED NYC BOMB THREAMS
A man identified as Emir Balat escaped after allegedly throwing a homemade explosive device at police during a protest outside Gracie Mansion in New York City on Saturday. (Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images)
Approximately 30 minutes later, Balat allegedly threw a “fire device” at the East 87th Street and East End Avenue crosswalk. Eyewitnesses reported flames and smoke traveling through the air, crashing into a barrier and burning police officers’ feet.
Balat then allegedly ran south on East End Boulevard, took a second device from Kayumi, lit it, and fled before leaving it between East 86th and East 87th streets. Police detained both people.
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The defendants currently face five federal charges: attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, use of a weapon of mass destruction, transportation of explosives, interstate transportation and receipt of explosives, and unlawful possession of destructive devices.
Fox News Digital’s Alexandra Koch and Ashley Carnahan contributed to this report.
