NYPD Chief Responds to Viral Photo Capturing Bold Barricade Leap

An NYPD chief found himself in the spotlight after a photograph captured him leaping over a barrier in pursuit of a suspect accused of hurling a bomb at anti-Muslim demonstrators near the mayor’s residence.

Assistant Chief Aaron Edwards, 46, has been praised for his swift action during the incident on Saturday, which led to the arrest of suspects Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, and Emir Balat, 18.

The two men allegedly threw homemade explosives at a small group of right-wing activists, led by Jake Lang, who were opposing Mayor Zohran Mamdani, while facing off against about 125 counter-protesters.

The NYPD celebrated Edwards’ bravery in chasing the suspects down by sharing a black-and-white photograph of him on social media beside the caption: ‘Some heroes wear capes – Chief Aaron Edwards wears blue.’

The photograph of Chief Edwards in action quickly went viral, amassing over 25 million views, and inspired various memes across social media platforms.

In response to his sudden fame, Assistant Chief Edwards modestly remarked on Wednesday, “I’m just glad I managed to clear that barrier.”

‘Imagine if I fell,’ he joked. ‘But to me, it was just instinct,’ he added. ‘I’m trying to get the bad guy, you know, I was in… real pursuit trying to get him.’

He said he hopes the story will shine a light on the work that was achieved that day as it was revealed the device could have caused a ‘significant explosion’. 

NYPD Chief Aaron Edwards, 46, addressed a photograph of him jumping a metal barrier in a daring effort to chase down one of the men accused of throwing a bomb at a protest 

He has been hailed as a hero for his efforts, and he was eventually able to catch up with Amir Balat, 18, of Pennsylvania, who was quickly apprehended

Balat has admitted to having been inspired by ISIS in carrying out the attack

‘I want it to be about the day, I want it to be about what we did,’ Edwards said. ‘I want that picture to be a reminder to New Yorkers that, you know, your cops, the members of the NYPD, you know, we’re gonna be relentless in pursuing justice.

‘And there’s gonna be no obstacles, nothing’s going to stand in our way from protecting New Yorkers.’ 

Edwards’ quick response paid off, and he was soon able to catch up with Balat, of Pennsylvania, who is accused of throwing a homemade ‘Mother of Satan’ bomb outside the New York City mayor’s Gracie Mansion.

Balat told authorities that he had pledged allegiance to the terrorist organization, and his alleged co-conspirator Kayumi, asserted that he was affiliated with the Islamic State, according to a criminal indictment. 

He even blurted out as he was being arrested that ‘ISIS’ was the reason for his conduct following the attempted bombing, which came as the two teens counter-protested a far-right demonstration. 

‘All praise is due to Allah lord of all worlds! I pledge my allegience [sic] to the Islamic State. Die in your rage yu [sic] kuffar!’ Kayumi later told investigators while he was in NYPD custody, the federal criminal complaint said.

‘This isn’t a religion that just stands when people talk about the blessed name of the prophet… We take action!’

Officers asked Balat whether they were aiming for a similar catastrophe like the bombing of the Boston Marathon in 2013, when two pressure-cooker bombs exploded near the finish line, killing three people and wounding hundreds more.

‘No, even bigger,’ Balat replied, according to the complaint. He also noted that the Boston bomber only caused ‘three deaths’.

Both Balat and Kayumi were charged on Monday with attempting to provide material support to ISIS, use of a weapon of mass destruction, transportation of explosive materials, interstate transportation and receipt of explosives, and unlawful possession of destructive devices. 

Balat is pictured fleeing after dropping the improvised explosive near police officers. Police initially were unsure if the device was an imitation or a real bomb 

An NYPD officer is pictured recoiling as the explosive rolls under him, as Balat jumps over a barrier and Edwards followed close behind

Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the bomb (pictured) as an ‘improvised explosive device’ that could have caused serious injury or been fatal if it had gone off

Their vehicle – registered to one of Balat’s relatives – was discovered on Sunday only a few blocks from where they were arrested.

A search of the car revealed a ‘hobby fuse’ and a metal can, along with a written list of chemical ingredients and components that could be used to build explosives, the complaint said.

When police detonated the devices, there was a ‘significant explosion,’ NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence and Counterterrorism Rebecca Weiner said.

The devices – which did not explode when Balat hurled them into the crowd – would have caused ‘death, destruction, an extremely dangerous compound, and an extremely dangerous place deployed,’ she added. 

Balat threw the homemade devices during counterprotests against an anti-Islamic demonstration led by far-right activist and Mamdani critic Jake Lang. 

Balat threw the homemade devices during counterprotests against an anti-Islamic demonstration led by far-right activist and Mamdani critic Jake Lang (pictured)

Lang’s sparsely-attended protest Saturday drew a far larger group of roughly 125 counter-demonstrators.

Amid the face-off, federal authorities said Balat tossed a jar-sized device that contained the white, crystalline explosive material triacetone triperoxide (TATP) into the crowd.

It also contained an exterior layer of duct-taped nuts and bolts, and a hobby fuse that was reportedly connected to an M80-type firework, investigators said.

The device extinguished itself just steps away from cops. According to the complaint, Balat then ran down the block and collected a second, similar device from Kayumi, dropped it near some police officers and tried to run away, the complaint said.

Cops tackled Balat and soon arrested him and Kayumi.

The NYPD said one person involved in the anti-Islam protest, Ian McGinnis, 21, was also arrested after pepper-spraying counter-protesters.

McGinnis, of Philadelphia, was released without bond after pleading not guilty Sunday to assault and aggravated harassment in a New York court, records show. A message seeking comment was left Monday for his attorney.

Three others were taken into custody but were released without charges.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned hatred and violence following the apparent attempt on his life

He then honored Edwards at Gracie Mansion on Monday

Following the attack, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani released a statement condemning hatred and violence.

‘Yesterday, white supremacist Jake Lang organized a protest outside Gracie Mansion rooted in bigotry and racism,’ he shared on social media on Sunday.

‘Such hate has no place in New York City. It is an affront to our city’s values and the unity that defines who we are. What followed was even more disturbing. Violence at a protest is never acceptable,’ the statement continued. 

‘The attempt to use an explosive device and hurt others is not only criminal, it is reprehensible and the antithesis of who we are. I want to thank the brave men and women of the NYPD who acted quickly to keep New Yorkers safe.

‘Our officers ran toward danger without hesitation, demonstrating once again the courage and dedication it takes to protect this city every single day.’

The mayor added that his administration is ‘closely monitoring the situation’ and that he is in close contact with Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch. 

Mamdani and his wife were not in Gracie Mansion at the time of the incident.