In Bucks County, Pennsylvania, authorities have charged two men with plotting an ISIS-inspired attack in New York City. One of the suspects, 18-year-old Emir Balat from Langhorne, allegedly purchased a fireworks fuse shortly before explosive devices were thrown at demonstrators outside Gracie Mansion.
On March 2, Balat reportedly bought a 20-foot roll of consumer safety fuse from Phantom Fireworks located in Penndel. This detail was confirmed by both the retailer and surveillance footage obtained by Fox News Digital.
This purchase occurred just two days following military strikes by the U.S. and Israel on Iran.
Surveillance video captures Balat arriving at the store, entering the premises, and briefly stepping out of the camera’s view. He is then seen returning to the counter with the fuse, engaging in a brief conversation with a store employee, and completing the transaction valued at $6.89.
The surveillance footage, provided by Phantom Fireworks, clearly shows Balat purchasing the fireworks fuse in Pennsylvania on March 2, as stated by the company’s Vice President and General Counsel, William Weimer, to Fox News Digital.
“The single item purchased was a 20-foot length of consumer fireworks safety fuse,” Phantom Fireworks Vice President and General Counsel William Weimer told Fox News Digital. “The total spend was $6.89 including tax.”
Five days later, Balat and 19-year-old Ibrahim Kayumi of Newtown allegedly threw live explosive devices into a protest outside the official residence of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
The event, “Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City: Stop New York City Public Muslim Prayer,” drew about 20 participants.
Surveillance camera footage shows Emir Balat buying a fireworks fuse in Pennsylvania March 2. (Footage courtesy of Phantom Fireworks)
A counterprotest, “Run the Nazis out of New York City: Stand Against Hate,” drew roughly 125 people at its peak.
Despite NYPD officers separating the groups into designated areas, tensions escalated shortly before noon, when a protester linked to Lang used pepper spray on counterprotesters, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. Officers investigated for “a period of time” before making an arrest.
Emir Balat flees after allegedly throwing a homemade explosive device toward police during a protest in front of Gracie Mansion in New York City Saturday. (Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images)
About 30 minutes later, Balat allegedly threw an “ignited device” that landed on the East 87th Street and East End Avenue crosswalk. Witnesses reported flames and smoke as it traveled through the air, struck a barrier and burned out feet from police officers.
Balat then allegedly ran south on East End Avenue, took a second device from Kayumi, lit it and fled before dropping it between East 86th and East 87th streets. Police took both men into custody.
The defendants now face five federal charges — attempted provision of material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, use of a weapon of mass destruction, transportation of explosive materials, interstate transportation and receipt of explosives and unlawful possession of destructive devices.
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