Federal prosecutors have charged two men accused of throwing improvised explosive devices near Gracie Mansion in Manhattan, alleging they were inspired by ISIS and wanted to carry out an attack bigger than the Boston Marathon bombing, according to a criminal complaint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The complaint, filed Monday in federal court in Manhattan, charges 18-year-old Emir Balat and 19-year-old Ibrahim Kayumi with attempted provision of material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, use of a weapon of mass destruction, transportation of explosive materials, interstate transportation and receipt of explosives, and unlawful possession of destructive devices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the complaint<\/a>, the incident happened on Saturday during opposing protests outside Gracie Mansion, the official residence of New York City\u2019s mayor, near East End Avenue and East 88th Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Prosecutors said Balat threw one device toward a crowd and later ignited a second device after receiving it from Kayumi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The FBI said both devices were apparent explosive devices and that preliminary testing of one of them showed it contained triacetone triperoxide, or TATP, a highly volatile explosive that has been used in multiple terrorist attacks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Officials previously said the devices were about the size of mason jars, had attached fuses, and had nuts and bolts attached to the outside with duct tape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the complaint, Balat made multiple statements referring to ISIS after his arrest. Prosecutors said he told officers during transport that \u201cthis isn\u2019t a religion that just stands when people talk about the blessed name of the prophet . . . We take action! We take action!\u201d and \u201cif I didn\u2019t do it someone else will come and do it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n After waiving his Miranda rights, Balat allegedly wrote on a piece of paper: \u201cAll praise is due to Allah lord of all worlds! I pledge my allegience [sic] to the Islamic State. Die in your rage yu [sic] kuffar! Emir B.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Prosecutors said that when officers asked whether he had hoped to carry out something like the Boston Marathon bombing, he replied: \u201cNo, even bigger. It was only three deaths.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kayumi also referred to ISIS after his arrest. Prosecutors said that while he was being placed into an NYPD vehicle, someone from the crowd asked why he had done it, and he responded: \u201cISIS.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n After being advised of his rights, Kayumi allegedly told law enforcement he was affiliated with ISIS, had watched ISIS propaganda on his phone, and said his actions that day were partly inspired by ISIS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Investigators said Balat was carrying a Pennsylvania driver\u2019s license at the time of his arrest. The complaint said authorities identified a vehicle linked to Balat\u2019s family that had traveled from New Jersey toward upper Manhattan less than an hour before the attack. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Inside the vehicle, agents said they found material consistent with hobby fuse, an empty metal can similar to one recovered from a device, and a notebook with handwritten notes including \u201cTATP explosive,\u201d a list of chemical ingredients including hydrogen peroxide, sulfuric acid and acetone, and a list of components and quantities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The complaint also said Kayumi\u2019s mother filed a missing person report on Saturday, saying she had last seen him at their Pennsylvania residence earlier that morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Police had previously said Balat was part of a counter-protest to a demonstration billed as Stop the Islamic takeover of New York City \/ Stop New York City public muslim prayer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I was in the middle of saying \u201cas a born and raised New Yorker, we welcome everyone into this city\u201d when he threw that over my head. pic.twitter.com\/i5iD3MVf7h<\/a><\/p>— Walter Masterson (@waltermasterson) March 8, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>