A New York City police chief displayed remarkable humility when reacting to a photograph capturing his daring leap over a metal barricade while in pursuit of a suspect accused of hurling a bomb at the mayor’s residence.
NYPD Chief Aaron Edwards, aged 46, has been celebrated as a hero for his swift action during Saturday’s incident. The police department honored him by sharing the striking black-and-white image with the caption, “Some heroes wear capes — Chief Aaron Edwards wears blue.”
The photo quickly went viral, amassing nearly 25 million views. Social media users have creatively edited the image, adding a cape or incorporating his silhouette into a playful rendition of the iconic ‘Bat-signal.’
During a Wednesday interview, when questioned about his sudden fame, the assistant chief modestly remarked, “I’m just glad I cleared that barrier.”
He added with a chuckle, “Imagine if I fell.”
“But for me, it was purely instinctual. I was focused on catching the suspect, fully engaged in the chase,” explained Edwards, who has dedicated nearly 23 years to the NYPD and was promoted to chief of Manhattan North borough in December, as reported by CBS News.
He went on to say that he does not want the now viral photo ‘to be about me.’
‘I want it to be about the day, I want it to be about what we did,’ Edwards said. ‘I want that picture to be a reminder to New Yorkers that, you know, your cops, the members of the NYPD, you know, we’re gonna be relentless in pursuing justice.
‘And there’s gonna be no obstacles, nothing’s going to stand in our way from protecting New Yorkers.’
NYPD Chief Aaron Edwards, 46, addressed a photograph of him jumping a metal barrier in a daring effort to chase down one of the men accused of throwing a bomb at the mayor’s mansion on Saturday
He has been hailed as a hero for his efforts, and he was eventually able to catch up with Amir Balat, 18, of Pennsylvania
Balat has admitted to having been inspired by ISIS in carrying out the attack.
Edwards’ quick response paid off, and he was soon able to catch up with Amir Balat, 18, of Pennsylvania, one of the two men arrested on Saturday after throwing a homemade ‘Mother of Satan’ bomb outside the New York City mayor’s mansion.
Balat told authorities that he had pledged allegiance to the terrorist organization, and his alleged co-conspirator Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, asserted that he was affiliated with the Islamic State, according to a criminal indictment.
He even blurted out as he was being arrested that ‘ISIS’ was the reason for his conduct following the attempted bombing, which came as the two teens counter-protested a far-right demonstration.
‘All 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!’ Kayumi later told investigators while he was in NYPD custody, the federal criminal complaint said.
‘This isn’t a religion that just stands when people talk about the blessed name of the prophet… We take action!’
Officers asked Balat whether they were aiming for a similar catastrophe like the bombing of the Boston Marathon in 2013, when two pressure-cooker bombs exploded near the finish line, killing three people and wounding hundreds more.
‘No, even bigger,’ Balat replied, according to the complaint. He also noted that the Boston bomber only caused ‘three deaths’ and had been seen buying a 20 foot roll of firework safety fuse in newly released video footage.
Both Balat and Kayumi were charged on Monday with attempting to provide material support to ISIS, use of a weapon of mass destruction, transportation of explosive materials, interstate transportation and receipt of explosives, and unlawful possession of destructive devices.
Balat is pictured fleeing after dropping the improvised explosive near police officers. Police initially were unsure if the device was an imitation or a real bomb
An NYPD officer is pictured recoiling as the explosive rolls under him, as Balat jumps over a barrier and Edwards followed close behind
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the bomb (pictured) as an ‘improvised explosive device’ that could have caused serious injury or been fatal if it had gone off
Their vehicle – registered to one of Balat’s relatives – was discovered on Sunday only a few blocks from where they were arrested.
A search of the car revealed a ‘hobby fuse’ and a metal can, along with a written list of chemical ingredients and components that could be used to build explosives, the complaint said.
When police detonated the devices, there was a ‘significant explosion,’ NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence and Counterterrorism Rebecca Weiner said.
The devices – which did not explode when Balat hurled them into the crowd – would have caused ‘death, destruction, an extremely dangerous compound, and an extremely dangerous place deployed,’ she added.
Balat threw the homemade devices during counterprotests against an anti-Islamic demonstration led by far-right activist and Mamdani critic Jake Lang.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned hatred and violence following the apparent attempt on his life
Following the apparent attempt on his life, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani released a statement condemning hatred.
‘Yesterday, white supremacist Jake Lang organized a protest outside Gracie Mansion rooted in bigotry and racism,’ he shared on social media on Sunday.
‘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. What followed was even more disturbing. Violence at a protest is never acceptable,’ the statement continued.
‘The attempt to use an explosive device and hurt others is not only criminal, it is reprehensible and the antithesis of who we are. I want to thank the brave men and women of the NYPD who acted quickly to keep New Yorkers safe.
‘Our officers ran toward danger without hesitation, demonstrating once again the courage and dedication it takes to protect this city every single day.’
The mayor added that his administration is ‘closely monitoring the situation’ and that he is in close contact with Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
