ISIS-inspired suspects indicted after allegedly throwing bombs at NYC protest
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Charges were filed Tuesday against two terrorism suspects accused of trying to bomb a protest outside New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s home last month in what authorities described as an ISIS-inspired attack, according to federal prosecutors.
Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, and Emir Balat, 18, are accused of throwing live explosive devices at a protest outside Mamdani’s Gracie Mansion on March 7 after driving from Pennsylvania. The bombs did not explode and no one was injured.
Both were charged with eight felonies: conspiracy to provide material support and resources to a foreign terrorist organization, providing and attempting to provide material support and resources to a foreign terrorist organization, conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction, attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction, possession of explosives during the commission of a federal crime, transportation of explosives, interstate transportation and receipt of explosives, and unlawful possession of destructive devices.
“Just a few weeks ago, as alleged, Emir Balat and İbrahim Kayumi carried out a terrorist attack on the streets of New York,” Jay Clayton, US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said in a statement. he said. “They attempted to kill numerous innocent victims in the name of ISIS. The brave men and women of the NYPD responded immediately and Balat and Kayumi were arrested at the scene.”
NEW VIDEO SHOWS A TERRORIST SUSPECT WHO ALLEGEDLY THROWN A BOMB AT A PROTEST OUTSIDE THE MAYOR’S RESIDENCE IN NYC IS BEING ADDRESSED.
İbrahim Kayumi (right) is pictured giving an object to Emir Balat, on the left. Both men were arrested on March 7 for allegedly attempting to bomb a protest in New York City and pledging allegiance to the ISIS terror group. (Ministry of Justice Public Relations Department)
“Since their attack, our partners at the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force have uncovered evidence that reveals the alleged meticulous planning of the defendants’ attacks, including a notebook containing detailed attack plans and a storage unit containing explosive residue and bomb-making materials.” he added.
While meeting with law enforcement, Balat allegedly said he wanted the planned attack to be “bigger than the Boston Marathon bombing.”
After Kayumi was arrested and waited to be loaded into an NYPD vehicle, someone in the surrounding crowd shouted at him and asked why he carried out the attack.
He allegedly replied, “ISIS.”
PENNSYLVANIA MEN CHARGED IN ISIS-INSPIRED BOMB ATTACK ON NYC PROTESTERS NEAR MAYOR’S MANSION: TIMELINE
Ibrahim Kayumi is detained by police officers in front of Gracie Mansion during a protest in New York on March 7, 2026. (REUTERS/Madison Swart)
According to the indictment, the duo discussed the imminent attack in comments recorded on the dashcam while driving to New York.
“What do you think? Will they lift the planes over New York for us? Will they stop them? If we do the attack and the bombs go off or something?” He asked Balat.
“I can’t wait for that bomb to explode and his fucking head and body to be split in half and he dies, bro,” he added.
Kayumi said, “All I know is that I want to start terror, brother” and “I want to turn these people to stone.”
Emir Balat was intervened by a police officer after he allegedly threw a bomb. (FNTV)
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According to the indictment, forensic analysis of two unexploded devices, one that Balat threw into a crowd of protesters and the other that Kayumi gave to Balat before Balat dropped it near NYPD officers, revealed that both contained explosives.
Mamdani said after last month’s attempted bombing that “violence at protests is never acceptable.”
“An attempt to use explosives to harm others is not only a crime, it is reprehensible and is the antithesis of who we are,” the mayor said at the time.
