BUCKS COUNTY, Pa. — In a concerning development, one of the two Pennsylvania men accused of planning an ISIS-inspired terrorist attack in New York City reportedly acquired a fireworks fuse just days before allegedly deploying explosive devices at a protest near Gracie Mansion.
Emir Balat, an 18-year-old resident of Langhorne, is said to have bought a 20-foot roll of consumer safety fuse at Phantom Fireworks in Penndel on March 2. This information comes from both the store’s records and surveillance video reviewed by Fox News Digital.
This purchase took place merely two days after the United States and Israel conducted military strikes on Iran.
Surveillance footage seemingly captures Balat arriving at the store, entering, and briefly stepping out of sight. He then returns to the checkout counter with the fuse, converses with a store employee, and completes the transaction for $6.89.
The footage, provided by Phantom Fireworks, shows a figure believed to be Emir Balat making the purchase on March 2. “The item purchased was a 20-foot length of consumer fireworks safety fuse,” William Weimer, Vice President and General Counsel of Phantom Fireworks, confirmed to Fox News Digital. “The total cost was $6.89, tax included.”
“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 allegedly 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.
A man identified as 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.
