FBI finds ‘explosive residue’ in storage unit related to ‘ISIS-inspired terrorism’ outside NYC mayor’s home
FBI discovers explosive residue in Pennsylvania storage unit tied to ISIS-inspired attack near NYC mayor’s home
The Federal Bureau of Investigation announced on Tuesday that it uncovered “explosive residue” in a storage unit located in Pennsylvania, which is thought to be linked to an ISIS-related incident near the residence of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani over the weekend. The agency shared this information on X, stating that a controlled detonation was carried out by authorities. The explosives are suspected to be connected to Saturday’s event, during which improvised explosive devices were hurled outside Gracie Mansion during protests.
Two Pennsylvania residents, Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, and Emir Balat, 18, are facing federal charges related to the incident. Despite the discovery, none of the devices were activated, and no individuals sustained injuries. A law enforcement official involved in the probe mentioned that several components and chemicals were retrieved from the storage facility. Some of these items were detonated by local police as a precautionary measure late Monday.
Surveillance footage, obtained by NBC News, allegedly depicts Balat purchasing a fireworks fuse at a store in Pennsylvania on March 2, five days prior to the incident. Phantom Fireworks, the store in question, provided the video to NBC, showing Balat arriving at its Penndel location around 12:40 p.m. and registering his ID with an employee. The company confirmed that Balat bought a single 20-foot roll of green safety fuse using cash. Executive Vice President Alan Zoldan stated that the firm was contacted by federal prosecutors, who sought records of both suspects. Balat’s name matched, prompting the retrieval of the footage of his 10-minute visit.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
The criminal indictment filed in the Southern District of New York accuses the pair of possessing and utilizing a “weapon of mass destruction,” transporting explosives, and attempting to assist a designated foreign terrorist group. Body camera evidence from the arrest of Kayumi shows him stating “ISIS” when asked about the motive for the attack, according to the complaint. Federal prosecutors claimed the suspects aimed to cause more damage than the Boston Marathon bombing, which killed three people and injured over 260 in 2013.
Legal representatives for the teenagers sought protective custody for their clients at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn during a Monday court session. Mehdi Essmidi, Balat’s attorney, explained the request: “This is a publicly declared terror trial, this is the city of New York, he’s 18, and he’s exposed to the general population of what is called a hellhole, and we want to keep him protected.” Kayumi’s attorney did not respond to a query for comment at that time.
Both suspects are from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, with Balat residing in Langhorne and Kayumi in Newtown. While the connection between the two remains unclear, a source close to the case revealed they traveled from Pennsylvania to New York City in a car lent by an associate. The associate was unaware of the men’s alleged plans, as per the source.
Questions Over Earlier Explosions
Additional inquiries have arisen regarding unexplained explosion noises in Pennsylvania that occurred in January. These incidents took place in a town adjacent to where one of the suspects lived, as reported by NBC Philadelphia. Investigators are now assessing whether these events may be related to the current case.
At a Monday press briefing, Mayor Mamdani described the attack as a “vile protest rooted in white supremacy,” emphasizing that he and his spouse were at a Brooklyn museum when the explosives were deployed. He criticized the choice of location, highlighting that the incident occurred outside his official residence.
“This is a publicly declared terror trial, this is the city of New York, he’s 18, and he’s exposed to the general population of what is called a hellhole, and we want to keep him protected.”
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, with the suspects remaining in custody pending a bail hearing. Their legal team has yet to provide further comments on the matter.
