Two teenagers pledging allegiance to ISIS threw homemade bombs packed with screws and bolts at protesters outside New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s residence Saturday, authorities revealed after their court appearance Monday. Police intercepted the smoking explosive devices before detonation, preventing what officials described as potential mass casualties.

The Attack and Arrests

Emir Balat, 18, and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, appeared in federal court Monday facing terrorism charges after allegedly throwing improvised explosive devices during an anti-Muslim demonstration led by far-right activist Jake Lang. Video footage captured Balat lighting a small IED and throwing it toward the protesters before igniting a second device handed to him by Kayumi. Police officers seized the smoking bombs, which contained jars filled with screws, bolts, and the highly volatile explosive compound TATP. Controlled detonations later confirmed the devices could have caused significant destruction and death, according to Deputy Police Commissioner Rebecca Weiner.

James Barnacle, head of the FBI’s New York office, told reporters the suspects sought to incite fear and mass suffering through the attempted terror attack. During police interviews, Balat admitted pledging allegiance to the Islamic State, while Kayumi acknowledged watching ISIS videos on his phone. Both teenagers face charges including using a weapon of mass destruction, attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, and three explosives charges.

Evidence and Investigation

Investigators discovered the pair traveled to New York in a vehicle registered to one of Balat’s relatives. A search of the car revealed a fuse, a metal can, and a detailed list of chemical ingredients and components used to construct explosives. The criminal complaint documents the extensive bomb-making materials recovered from the scene and vehicle, demonstrating premeditation and planning. The protest attracted both anti-Muslim demonstrators and a larger group of counter-protesters, creating a volatile situation authorities had been monitoring.

Official Response and Constitutional Balance

Mayor Mamdani characterized the anti-Muslim demonstration as a protest rooted in white supremacy but defended constitutional free speech protections. The mayor stated that while he finds such protests appalling, he will not waver in his belief that peaceful demonstrations should be allowed to happen. US Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized on social media that authorities will not allow ISIS’s poisonous, anti-American ideology to threaten the nation. The incident highlights the ongoing challenge of protecting First Amendment rights while preventing terrorist violence on American soil.