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In the suburban stretches of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, a chilling narrative unfolds involving two local men accused of orchestrating an ISIS-inspired terror plot targeting New York City. Among them, 18-year-old Emir Balat from Langhorne allegedly made a critical purchase just days before he reportedly threw explosive devices at demonstrators near Gracie Mansion.
Surveillance footage acquired by Fox News Digital suggests that on March 2, Balat procured a 20-foot roll of consumer safety fuse from Phantom Fireworks, located in Penndel. This transaction occurred shortly after the U.S. and Israel conducted airstrikes on Iran, adding a complex layer to the unfolding events.
The recorded video captures Balat arriving at the store, entering the premises, and momentarily disappearing from the camera’s view. He soon reemerges at the checkout counter with the fuse in hand, engaging briefly with a store employee before completing the purchase, which totaled $6.89.
Footage provided by Phantom Fireworks purports to show Balat completing this critical acquisition, a single transaction that would later become a focal point in the investigation into the planned attack.
Surveillance camera footage shows a person believed to be Emir Balat buying a fireworks fuse in Pennsylvania on March 2. (Footage courtesy of Phantom Fireworks)
“The single item purchased was a 20-foot length of consumer fireworks safety fuse,” Phantom Fireworks Vice President and General Counsel William Weimer told Fox News Digital. “The total spend was $6.89 including tax.”Â
Five days later, Balat and 19-year-old Ibrahim Kayumi of Newtown allegedly threw live explosive devices into a protest outside the official residence of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
The event, “Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City: Stop New York City Public Muslim Prayer,” drew about 20 participants.
Surveillance camera footage allegedly shows Emir Balat buying a fireworks fuse in Pennsylvania March 2. (Footage courtesy of Phantom Fireworks)
A counterprotest, “Run the Nazis out of New York City: Stand Against Hate,” drew roughly 125 people at its peak.
Despite NYPD officers separating the groups into designated areas, tensions escalated shortly before noon, when a protester linked to Lang used pepper spray on counterprotesters, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. Officers investigated for “a period of time” before making an arrest.
A man identified as Emir Balat flees after allegedly throwing a homemade explosive device toward police during a protest in front of Gracie Mansion in New York City Saturday. Â (Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images)
About 30 minutes later, Balat allegedly threw an “ignited device” that landed on the East 87th Street and East End Avenue crosswalk. Witnesses reported flames and smoke as it traveled through the air, struck a barrier and burned out feet from police officers.
Balat then allegedly ran south on East End Avenue, took a second device from Kayumi, lit it and fled before dropping it between East 86th and East 87th streets. Police took both men into custody.
The defendants now face five federal charges — attempted provision of material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, use of a weapon of mass destruction, transportation of explosive materials, interstate transportation and receipt of explosives and unlawful possession of destructive devices.