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Two individuals accused of plotting a bombing at a protest outside the home of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani were formally charged on Tuesday, as announced by federal prosecutors. The authorities have described the incident as inspired by ISIS.
The suspects, Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, and Emir Balat, 18, allegedly drove from Pennsylvania to New York City, where they attempted to detonate explosive devices during a protest at Gracie Mansion on March 7. Fortunately, the devices did not explode, and no injuries were reported.
Each suspect faces eight charges, including conspiracy to support a foreign terrorist organization, attempted provision of such support, conspiracy to deploy a weapon of mass destruction, attempted use of such a weapon, carrying explosives during a federal felony, transporting explosive materials, interstate transportation and receipt of explosives, and illegal possession of destructive devices.
“As we allege, Balat and Kayumi executed a terrorist act on New York City streets just weeks ago,” stated Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. “Their aim was to kill innocent people in the name of ISIS. Thanks to the swift action of the NYPD, both suspects were apprehended at the scene.”
A photo depicts Ibrahim Kayumi, on the right, handing an object to Emir Balat, on the left. Both men were taken into custody on March 7 following their alleged bombing attempt and allegiance pledge to the ISIS terror group. (Justice Department Office of Public Affairs)
“Since their attack, our partners at the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force have uncovered evidence revealing the alleged meticulous planning by the defendants in their attack, including a notebook with detailed attack plans and a storage unit containing explosive residue and bomb-making materials,” he added.
When speaking to law enforcement, Balat allegedly said he wanted the planned attack to be “bigger than the Boston Marathon bombing.”
After Kayumi was arrested and waiting to be placed inside an NYPD vehicle, someone from the surrounding crowd yelled at him and asked why he carried out the attack.
“ISIS,” he allegedly responded.
Ibrahim Kayumi was detained by officers outside Gracie Mansion during a protest in New York City on March 7, 2026. (REUTERS/Madison Swart)
The pair also made comments recorded on dashcam in which they discussed soon carrying out the attack as they traveled to New York, according to the indictment.
“What do you think? Are they going to remove the airplanes for us … over New York? Are they going to stop them? If we do the attack and the bombs go off and everything?” Balat asked.
“Just can’t wait for that bomb to go off and his freaking head, his body to get split in half bro, dead,” he added.
Kayumi said, “All I know is I want to start terror, bro” and “I want to petrify these people.”
Emir Balat was tackled by an officer after he allegedly threw a bomb. (FNTV)
A forensic analysis of two unexploded devices — one that Balat tossed into the crowd of protesters and another that Kayumi handed to Balat before Balat dropped it on the ground near NYPD officers — found that both contained explosives, according to the indictment.
Mamdani said after the attempted bombing last month that “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,” the mayor said at the time.
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