Authorities say the two men accused of attempting to carry out a bombing near Gracie Mansion on the Upper East Side intended to inflict even greater destruction than the 2013 Boston Marathon attack. The disturbing claim emerged during a press briefing on Monday as investigators detailed the alleged plot and the suspects’ statements following their arrests.
According to Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, one of the suspects, Ibrahim Kayumi, told officers that he and his alleged accomplice, Emir Balat, were motivated by extremist ideology linked to ISIS. Tisch said Kayumi made the statement while being placed into a police vehicle after officers apprehended him at the scene.
After being read his Miranda rights at the precinct and waiving those rights, Kayumi reportedly told investigators that he had watched ISIS propaganda on his phone and that it had partly inspired the attack.
Police also revealed that Balat made several unsolicited remarks during transport to the precinct. According to Tisch, those statements were captured on officers’ body-worn cameras.
“He made spontaneous statements without being questioned by officers,” Tisch explained. Authorities say Balat allegedly declared that violent action was necessary when the name of the Prophet was mentioned and suggested that if he had not carried out the attack, someone else eventually would.
Attack Targeted Protest Near Mayor’s Residence
Investigators believe the suspects deliberately targeted a demonstration near Gracie Mansion, the official residence of New York City’s mayor. The protest involved far-right activist Jake Lang and supporters holding an anti-Islam demonstration that had drawn counter-protesters.
Police said the suspects arrived in New York City shortly before the attack. Authorities determined that the pair crossed the George Washington Bridge around 11:36 a.m. on March 7 before parking on East End Avenue near the protest site roughly 30 minutes later.
At approximately 12:15 p.m., the two men allegedly threw improvised explosive devices into the area where the demonstration and counter-protests were unfolding.
Commissioner Tisch said Balat later told investigators he hoped to carry out an attack even larger than the Boston Marathon bombing, which killed three people and injured hundreds in 2013.
“This was not random violence,” Tisch said. “This was a planned attack motivated by extremist ideology and inspired by a violent foreign terrorist organization.”
Chaos at the Scene
Witnesses described a chaotic moment when the devices were thrown. One suspect reportedly shouted “Allahu Akbar” — Arabic for “God is great” — as smoke poured from one of the devices. Officers quickly tackled Balat after he jumped over a barricade while attempting to flee.
Lang, who was participating in the protest, later described the frightening moment when the explosive device landed nearby.
“The bomb landed only a few feet in front of me,” he said the following day while speaking near the United Nations. “I saw the fuse smoking and thought my life was over right then and there.”
Additional Device Discovered
Following the arrests, investigators from the NYPD Bomb Squad and the FBI searched the suspects’ vehicles. Authorities reported finding a third device that had not been activated, along with handwritten notes referencing instructions for constructing explosive materials.
Officials said the chemicals used in the devices resembled those seen in past terrorist attacks.
Federal prosecutors have charged the suspects with multiple offenses, including attempting to provide material support to ISIS, using a weapon of mass destruction, transporting explosive materials across state lines, and unlawful possession of destructive devices.
Officials Condemn Attempted Attack
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned the alleged plot and praised the rapid response by law enforcement officers that prevented further harm.
“Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi have been charged with committing a heinous act of terrorism and proclaiming allegiance to ISIS,” Mamdani said. “We will continue to keep New Yorkers safe. Terrorism and violence will not be tolerated in this city.”
Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, also emphasized the distinction between lawful protest and violent extremism.
“Free speech and peaceful assembly are fundamental rights in this country,” Clayton said. “But violence — especially violence intended to intimidate or silence others — will be met with swift justice.”
Authorities say the investigation remains ongoing as federal and city officials continue to examine the suspects’ activities, possible connections, and how the explosive devices were assembled.
