Teen ISIS-inspired terror suspects due in court
The panel on ‘Outnumbered’ delves into the impending federal court appearance of two teenage suspects accused of attempting a terror attack by throwing homemade bombs near Gracie Mansion, inspired by ISIS.
These suspects, charged with launching homemade explosives in an attack influenced by ISIS outside New York City’s Gracie Mansion, have entered pleas of not guilty to federal accusations.
Emir Balat, 18, and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, are alleged to have thrown live explosives into a demonstration outside Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s home on March 7, after traveling from Pennsylvania.
Fortunately, the bombs failed to detonate and no injuries occurred.
During their court appearance on Wednesday, Balat and Kayumi pleaded not guilty to a total of eight charges, which include conspiracy to provide material support and resources to a foreign terrorist organization and the attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction.
In a photograph, Ibrahim Kayumi is seen handing an object to Emir Balat. Both individuals were apprehended on March 7 after allegedly trying to bomb a protest in New York City and professing allegiance to the ISIS terror group. (Justice Department Office of Public Affairs)
Balat and Kayumi appeared in court wearing beige prison jumpsuits and shackles and remained motionless as they responded to the judge regarding the next steps in their case.
During the arraignment, Kayumi’s lawyers pointed to his client’s family members, who were seated in the courtroom and came to show their support.
Upon being referenced, an older man in the group grew emotional and proceeded to wipe away tears.
Accused ISIS-inspired terrorist Ibrahim Kayumi is detained by New York Police Department (NYPD) officers outside Gracie Mansion, the official residence of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, during an anti-Islam protest led by far-right activist Jake Lang in New York City, New York, U.S., March 7, 2026. Police said two individuals were arrested and are under investigation after homemade explosive devices were thrown during the demonstration. (Madison Swart/Reuters)
Prosecutors told the judge they are continuing to comb through the “voluminous” discovery in the case, and asked to be granted an additional three weeks to review evidence.
Authorities are also still working to gather information from multiple electronic devices seized from the pair’s vehicle and their respective homes.
“As alleged, just weeks ago, Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi carried out a terrorist attack on the streets of New York,” U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton previously said in a statement. “They sought to murder multiple innocent victims in the name of ISIS. The brave women and men of the NYPD responded immediately, and Balat and Kayumi were arrested on site.”
Emir Balat flees after throwing a homemade explosive device towards police as NYPD Chief Aaron Edwards and Sgt. Luis Navarro take action during a protest in front of Gracie Mansion, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s official residence, in New York on March 7, 2026. (Charly Triballeau/AFP)
“Since their attack, our partners at the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force have uncovered evidence revealing the alleged meticulous planning by the defendants in their attack, including a notebook with detailed attack plans and a storage unit containing explosive residue and bomb-making materials,” he added.
As Kayumi was being arrested, an individual from the surrounding crowd asked him why he carried out the alleged attack, to which he replied, “ISIS,” according to authorities.
Prosecutors allege that while speaking to law enforcement, Balat said he hoped the planned attack would be “bigger than the Boston Marathon bombing.”
Dashcam video recorded as the pair were traveling to New York also allegedly captured their discussions surrounding the planning of the attempted attack, according to the indictment.
“What do you think? Are they going to remove the airplanes for us … over New York? Are they going to stop them? If we do the attack and the bombs go off and everything?” Balat asked.
“Just can’t wait for that bomb to go off and his freaking head, his body to get split in half bro, dead,” he added.
“All I know is I want to start terror, bro,” Kayumi allegedly replied, adding, “I want to petrify these people.”
A forensic analysis of the two devices determined that both contained explosives, according to the indictment.
If convicted, both Balat and Kayumi face the possibility of life in prison.
The pair are due back in court on June 16.
