Officials in New York City have verified that a device, ignited and hurled during protests near Gracie Mansion on Saturday, was an improvised explosive device (IED) with the potential to cause “serious injury or death.”
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch shared a statement on X confirming that the department’s Bomb Squad had assessed the device. Their analysis ruled it out as a hoax or smoke bomb.
“After a preliminary examination, the NYPD Bomb Squad has determined that the device ignited at yesterday’s protest is not a hoax or smoke bomb,” Tisch wrote. “It is indeed an improvised explosive device, capable of causing significant harm or fatality.”
Authorities are still examining a second device found at the protest location.
During a rally aimed at stopping public Muslim prayer in New York City on March 7, 2026, a man was seen throwing a handmade explosive at supporters of then-U.S. President Trump.
Police apprehended Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi at the scene, and both are currently in custody.
Three federal law enforcement sources told Fox News that the two suspects are believed to be U.S. citizens.
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.
“I want to again thank the brave members of the NYPD who ran towards the danger without hesitation and quickly apprehended the suspects,” Tisch added.
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.
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.
The incident unfolded amid two dueling protests on March 7, 2026, near Gracie Mansion in New York City. (FNTV)
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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