Daniel Arkin is a senior reporter at NBC News.
The throwing of an improvised explosive device near New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s residence during weekend protests is being investigated as an act of 'ISIS-inspired terrorism,' the city’s police commissioner said Monday.
The two suspects will be prosecuted in federal court in connection with the Saturday incident, New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a news conference. The device was ignited during an anti-Islam demonstration and a counterprotest. Authorities do 'not have information that connects this investigation to what is going on overseas in Iran,' Tisch said, referring to the U.S. and Israeli joint military offensive there. In an X post Sunday, Tisch said the object thrown Saturday during dueling protests near Gracie Mansion, the mayor’s official residence, was an 'improvised explosive device that could have caused serious injury or death.' Two devices were thrown near the protest, and a third suspicious device tested negative for explosive material, Tisch said. At least one of the devices contained TATP, a dangerous and highly volatile homemade explosive. Mamdani, New York City’s first Muslim mayor, confirmed Monday that he and his wife were at a museum in Brooklyn when the improvised explosive device was thrown. Officials have identified the suspects as Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi. Mamdani, who addressed reporters at the start of Monday’s news conference, described them as two men who 'traveled from Pennsylvania and attempted to bring violence to New York City.' 'They are suspected of coming here to commit an act of terrorism. There is video of these two individuals throwing two devices towards the protest,' Mamdani said. 'The police department has determined that these were improvised explosive devices made to injure, maim or worse.' The anti-Muslim demonstration, led by conservative influencer Jake Lang and called 'Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City, Stop New York City Public Muslim Prayer,' drew roughly 20 people, according to police. The counterprotest drew about 125 demonstrators at its peak. 'Thanks to the swift and decisive actions of NYPD officers at the scene, both men were immediately taken into custody and the devices they brought taken off of our streets,' Mamdani said. 'I want to commend the officers who were on site,' the mayor added. 'They faced a chaotic situation that very quickly could have become far more dangerous.' The federal criminal complaint against the two suspects will be unsealed Monday afternoon, Tisch said.
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