A newly released video captures the dramatic moment when one of the suspects, accused of terrorism, was brought down after purportedly hurling a homemade explosive device during a protest in New York City.
Ibrahim Kayumi, a 19-year-old from Newtown, Pennsylvania, and 18-year-old Emir Balat are charged with launching live explosives at a demonstration outside Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s Gracie Mansion residence on March 7. The two allegedly made the journey from Bucks County to Manhattan, as detailed by federal authorities.
The footage reveals an NYPD officer tackling Balat following his alleged act of throwing a bomb, while Chief Aaron Edwards can be heard shouting, “get him.” In the chaotic scene, someone is heard yelling “bomb” after Balat is subdued.
According to a criminal complaint, prosecutors presented a sequence of images depicting the suspects handling the alleged explosive, which was identified as containing TATP, along with nuts and bolts affixed using duct tape.
Emir Balat, 18, was apprehended after allegedly deploying a handmade smoke grenade during the “Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City” protest on March 7, 2026. (Photo by Ryan Murphy/Getty Images)
18-year-old Emir Balat is arrested after allegedly throwing a handmade smoke grenade during a “Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City” protest on March 7, 2026. (Ryan Murphy/Getty Images)
When speaking to law enforcement, Balat allegedly said that he wanted the planned attack to be “bigger than the Boston Marathon bombing.”
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the homemade bombs were real and capable of causing serious injury or death, adding that the incident is being investigated as terrorism.
Emir Balat runs after dropping an alleged IED at the feet of NYPD officers. He was arrested moments later, and the device failed to go off. (Justice Department Office of Public Affairs)
“This is being investigated as an act of ISIS-inspired terrorism,” Tisch said.
Balat allegedly wrote and signed a pledge of allegiance to the Islamic state after being taken to a precinct station, according to federal prosecutors.
Emir Balat, 18, is arrested after throwing an alleged explosive device during a protest organized by far-right influencer Jake Lang against alleged “Islamification of New York” outside Gracie Mansion, the official residence of Mayor Zorhan Mamdani. Two men threw homemade explosive devices outside Gracie Mansion during the protest and were quickly apprehended. (Michael Nigro/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)
“All praise is due to Allah lord of all worlds! I pledge my allegiance to the Islamic State,” Balat allegedly wrote. “We take action.”
During a search of a self-storage unit connected to the terror investigation in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, the FBI said “explosive residue” was located.
Surveillance camera footage shows Emir Balat, buying fireworks fuse in Pennsylvania on March 3, 2026. (Footage courtesy of Phantom Fireworks)
“Yesterday’s search of the storage unit believed to be connected to the Gracie Mansion incident revealed explosive residue. FBI Special Agent Bomb Technicians and the local bomb squads conducted a controlled detonation to ensure the safety of law enforcement and others in the area. We’re thankful for the assistance of the FBI Philadelphia Field Office and the local Middletown and Newton agencies who assisted our office throughout the night,” FBI New York posted on X.
On March 2, Balat appears to have bought a 20-foot roll of fuse from Phantom Fireworks in Penndel, Pennsylvania, according to video obtained by Fox News Digital.
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