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By Kate Plummer and Hollie Silverman
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Two Pennsylvania men have been arrested after police said an improvised explosive device was thrown during clashes between anti-Islam demonstrators and counter-protesters outside Gracie Mansion, the official residence of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, on Saturday.
Emir Balat, 18, and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, are awaiting a court appearance Monday.
A criminal complaint said the men admitted to being inspired by the Islamic State extremist group, the Associated Press (AP) reported.
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The incident unfolded outside Gracie Mansion on Saturday, with images from the scene showing smoke and what police later identified as an improvised explosive device lying in the street.
The counter-protest, which drew about 125 people, had been arranged in opposition to an anti-Islam demonstration of about 20 protesters organized by Jake Lang, a conservative influencer who was pardoned for charges tied to the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot.
New York City Comptroller Mark D. Levine, citing information from NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, told Newsweek the two individuals arrested in connection with the device were part of the counter-protest, not Lang's group.
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Why It Matters
The incident raises safety concerns regarding elected officials and the potential for political demonstrations to escalate into violence.
Mamdani, New York City's first Muslim mayor, faced anti-Islam messages and death threats during his campaign, and hired extra security to deal with the increasing threats.
What To Know
Officers were at the scene of a scheduled demonstration near East End Avenue and 88th Street, in the vicinity of the 19th Precinct, when they were alerted to two suspicious devices at approximately 11:40 a.m., the NYPD told Newsweek. No injuries or property damage were reported.
NYPD Bomb Squad preliminary analysis of one device had determined it was "an improvised explosive device that could have caused serious injury or death," wrote Tisch on X. She added that further analysis would be conducted on both devices.
According to the complaint reviewed by the AP, Kayumi told arresting officers that “ISIS.” Balat also told authorities that he had pledged allegiance ISIS.
When asked if he was trying to accomplish something like the bombing at the Boston Marathon, Balat replied "No, even bigger," the complaint said.
A law enforcement spokesperson told CBS News Balat was a student in the Neshaminy School District, though Newsweek was unable to verify this.
The outlet reported that Balat’s parents were born in Turkey and were naturalized as U.S. citizens a decade ago. CBS also reported that Kayumi’s parents were originally from Afghanistan, becoming naturalized citizens some 15 years ago. Newsweek has not verified this reporting.
Six people were arrested in total in connection with the incident, including a member of Lang's group who used pepper spray on a counter-protester. The entire incident was captured on NYPD Argus cameras, Levine said.
What People Are Saying
Police Commissioner of the City of New York Jessica Tisch wrote on X: "The NYPD Bomb Squad has conducted a preliminary analysis of a device that was ignited and deployed at a protest yesterday and has determined that it is not a hoax device or a smoke bomb. It is, in fact, an improvised explosive device that could have caused serious injury or death. Further analysis will be conducted, including on a second device."
Former New York City Mayor Eric Adams on X: "No one should be surprised. After years of hateful rhetoric and incitement, attempts to justify attacks on Jews in Israel, praise for violence like the killing of a CEO, and chants about 'globalizing the intifada' and 'Death to America,' words have now escalated into violence on the streets of New York City, with explosives being thrown.
"We have a serious radicalization problem on both the far left and the far right, especially among young people. If we don’t confront it, this will only get worse. Thank you to the brave NYPD officers who once again ran toward danger and arrested the suspects."
New York Democrat Governor Kathy Hochul on X: "Incredibly grateful for New York’s Finest who ran toward danger yesterday to protect others. There is no place for violence of any kind in our State and those responsible for this cowardly act will be held accountable. State Police continue to assist NYPD with this."
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani wrote on X Sunday: "White supremacist Jake Lang organized a protest outside Gracie Mansion rooted in bigotry and racism... Such hate has no place in New York City. It is an affront to our city's values and the unity that defines who we are."
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Update 3/9/26 1:45 p.m. ET: This story has been updated with more information.
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