City officials in New York disclosed on Sunday that two devices recovered from protests near Gracie Mansion the previous day were confirmed to be improvised explosive devices (IEDs). This discovery has heightened concerns and prompted a thorough investigation.
The FBI New York branch released a statement on X, affirming the nature of the devices. “The FBI and NYPD confirmed the suspicious items to be improvised explosive devices (IEDs),” they noted. To address this serious situation, the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) is actively involved, conducting interviews, reviewing video footage, collecting evidence, and pursuing all leads to ensure public safety.
In a related development, officials reported the discovery of a third “suspicious device” on Sunday afternoon. This device was found in a vehicle in Manhattan, further linking it to the ongoing investigation.
Earlier on Sunday, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch addressed the situation in a statement on X. She revealed that the first device, which was ignited and deployed during a protest, had been analyzed by the department’s Bomb Squad. “The NYPD Bomb Squad has conducted a preliminary analysis of a device that was ignited and deployed at a protest yesterday and has determined that it is not a hoax device or a smoke bomb,” Tisch stated. She emphasized the seriousness of the threat, confirming that it was indeed an improvised explosive device capable of inflicting significant harm or fatalities.
The impact of such incidents is illustrated by past events, such as a man throwing a handmade explosive at supporters of then-U.S. President Trump during a rally in New York City on March 7, 2026, highlighting the persistent threat posed by such devices in public settings. (Eduardo Munoz/Reuters)
A man throws a hand-made explosive at supporters of U.S. President Trump during a rally to stop public Muslim prayer, in New York City, on March 7, 2026. (Eduardo Munoz/ Reuters)
At the time, Tisch said authorities were continuing to analyze a second device recovered at the scene.
Police arrested Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi on Saturday. Both remain in custody.
Three federal law enforcement sources told Fox News that the two suspects are believed to be U.S. citizens and that one suspect allegedly shouted “Allahu Akbar” before igniting and throwing an IED toward the protest area.
The NYPD is working alongside the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the FBI through the Joint Terrorism Task Force.
The incident unfolded during dueling demonstrations Saturday morning near East End Avenue and East 87th Street, just steps from Gracie Mansion, the official residence of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
The incident unfolded amid two dueling protests on March 7, 2026, near Gracie Mansion in New York City. (FNTV)
One rally was organized by right-wing activist Jake Lang to oppose public Muslim prayer. Counter-protesters also gathered at the scene.
Though police initially kept the groups separated, tensions escalated after pepper spray was deployed during a confrontation.
Approximately 30 minutes later, authorities say an 18-year-old counter-protester ignited and threw a device toward the protest area. Witnesses reported seeing flames and smoke before it extinguished itself near responding officers.
Police say the 18-year-old then retrieved a second device from a 19-year-old, lit it, and attempted to flee.
Both suspects – identified as Balat and Kayumi – were taken into custody.
Three additional arrests were made on charges including disorderly conduct and obstructing traffic.
Bomb squad technicians on Saturday described the devices as jars wrapped in black tape, slightly smaller than a football.
X-rays revealed nuts, bolts and screws inside – materials commonly used as improvised shrapnel – along with a hobby fuse that could be lit.
Right-wing activist Jake Lang leads a rally to stop public Muslim prayer, in New York City, U.S., March 7, 2026. (Eduardo Munoz/Reuters)
Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned both the protest and the violence in a statement posted 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,” Mamdani wrote. “What followed was even more disturbing. Violence at a protest is never acceptable. The attempt to use an explosive device and hurt others is not only criminal, it is reprehensible and the antithesis of who we are.”
He thanked NYPD officers for their response and said his administration is “closely monitoring the situation.”
The NYPD could not be immediately reached by Fox News Digital for comment.
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