Two officers from the New York Police Department are receiving accolades from Mayor Zohran Mamdani for their swift response in preventing an alleged ISIS-inspired terrorist attack near Gracie Mansion over the weekend.
At a press conference held on Monday, NYPD Chief Aaron Edwards and Sergeant Luis Navarro were lauded by both Mayor Mamdani and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch. Their courageous actions potentially averted a devastating incident after two explosive devices were found at a protest on Saturday.
Chief Edwards reportedly leaped over a barrier to tackle 18-year-old Emir Balat, who had allegedly thrown an improvised explosive device at protesters and was preparing to hurl another device he received from 19-year-old Ibrahim Kayumi.
Amidst the ensuing commotion, Sergeant Navarro bravely approached a second explosive device, which was already ignited and emitting smoke, allegedly discarded by Balat. Commissioner Tisch commended Navarro, noting he acted “without hesitation and without regard for [his] own safety.”
Mayor Zohran Mamdani addressed the media alongside Chief Edwards and Sergeant Navarro during a news conference at Gracie Mansion on Monday, March 9, 2026, expressing his gratitude for their heroism. (Angelina Katsanis/AP Photo)
In addition to publicly acknowledging their bravery, Mayor Mamdani also extended his personal thanks to the officers during a private meeting.
“That is courage, that is selflessness, and I am deeply grateful to both of them and to every member of the NYPD who works every single day to keep New Yorkers safe,” Mamdani said.
Edwards was recently promoted to borough chief of Manhattan North in December of last year after serving nearly 23 years as an NYPD officer, according to the New York Post.
Emir Balat flees after throwing a homemade explosive device toward police as NYPD Chief Aaron Edwards and Sgt. Luis Navarro take action during a protest in front of Gracie Mansion in New York on March 7, 2026. (Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images)
Edwards was inspired to become an officer after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York City.
“I was a college student back in September 2001,” the new commanding officer of the NYPD’s Patrol Borough Manhattan North told the Post last year. “I saw what happened, and I took one of the first tests” for the academy.
“I saw it, I felt it. When everyone was running out [of the Twin Towers], we had our police officers and the other first-responders running in. I thought that was selfless heroism. It just drew me to the profession,” Edwards said. “Since I started, I fell in love with policing.”
New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch speaks during a news conference with New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani at Gracie Mansion, Monday, March 9, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)
On Monday, Tisch said the officer’s actions on Saturday followed the same theme of his inspiration to join the department.
“We saw that same spirit carried forward in the way that he responded,” Tisch said, according to the New York Daily News.
Additionally, Navarro has reportedly been on the force for 11 years and joined the NYPD after a friend encouraged him to take the exam. Like Edwards, he was promoted to his current rank in December.
Both Balat and Kayumi are facing federal terrorism charges stemming from the alleged attack.
The NYPD did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
