Two men from Pennsylvania are facing charges for allegedly plotting an ISIS-inspired attack in New York City, with one of them reportedly acquiring materials for the scheme just days prior. Emir Balat, 18, from Langhorne, is said to have bought a fireworks fuse at a local store in Pennsylvania before reportedly throwing explosive devices at demonstrators near Gracie Mansion.
On March 2, Balat allegedly purchased a 20-foot roll of consumer safety fuse from Phantom Fireworks in Penndel, as confirmed by both the store and surveillance footage reviewed by Fox News Digital.
This transaction took place two days following coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian targets.
Surveillance video purportedly captures Balat driving into the store’s parking area, entering, and briefly disappearing from view. He then returns to the checkout counter with the fuse, engages in a short conversation with a store employee, and completes the $6.89 purchase.
Phantom Fireworks’ Vice President and General Counsel, William Weimer, described the transaction to Fox News Digital, noting, “The only item purchased was a 20-foot consumer fireworks safety fuse, totaling $6.89 with tax.”
“The single item purchased was a 20-foot length of consumer fireworks safety fuse,” Phantom Fireworks Vice President and General Counsel William Weimer told Fox News Digital. “The total spend was $6.89 including tax.”
Five days later, Balat and 19-year-old Ibrahim Kayumi of Newtown allegedly threw live explosive devices into a protest outside the official residence of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
The event, “Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City: Stop New York City Public Muslim Prayer,” drew about 20 participants.
A counterprotest, “Run the Nazis out of New York City: Stand Against Hate,” drew roughly 125 people at its peak.
Despite NYPD officers separating the groups into designated areas, tensions escalated shortly before noon, when a protester linked to Lang used pepper spray on counterprotesters, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said.
Here’s the latest on the bombs thrown outside Gracie Mansion
Officers investigated for “a period of time” before making an arrest.
About 30 minutes later, Balat allegedly threw an “ignited device” that landed on the East 87th Street and East End Avenue crosswalk.
Witnesses reported flames and smoke as it traveled through the air, struck a barrier and burned out feet from police officers.
Balat then allegedly ran south on East End Avenue, took a second device from Kayumi, lit it and fled before dropping it between East 86th and East 87th streets. Police took both men into custody.
The defendants now face five federal charges — 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.
Fox News Digital’s Alexandra Koch and Ashley Carnahan contributed to this report.
