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 Incident Near NYC Mayor’s Residence
On Tuesday, the FBI disclosed the discovery of “explosive residue” in a Pennsylvania storage unit suspected of ties to an ISIS-inspired terror event near the residence of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani over the weekend. Authorities confirmed the presence of explosives and carried out a controlled detonation as part of the investigation. The devices, believed to be linked to Saturday’s incident, were thrown outside Gracie Mansion during protests, though none activated and no injuries were reported.
Two Pennsylvania teens, Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, and Emir Balat, 18, are facing federal charges related to the attack. A senior law enforcement official noted that several components and chemicals were removed from the storage facility. Additionally, local police detonated some of the materials as a precautionary measure late Monday.
NBC News secured surveillance footage allegedly showing Balat purchasing a fireworks fuse at a store in Pennsylvania on March 2, five days prior to the incident. The video, shared with NBC by Phantom Fireworks, captures Balat entering its Penndel location around 12:40 p.m. and registering his ID with an employee before buying a 20-foot roll of green safety fuse in cash. The company confirmed the process, which is standard for all customers.
“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,” Mehdi Essmidi, Balat’s attorney, told NBC News on Monday.
Phantom Fireworks’ Executive Vice President, Alan Zoldan, revealed that the company cross-referenced its records after the attack and found a match with Balat. A copy of the subpoena from federal prosecutors was shown to NBC, detailing the request for information. The FBI has not yet provided additional comments.
The criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York states that the suspects made remarks about the Islamic State terrorist group before and after their arrest. Body camera footage of Kayumi’s arrest shows him responding “ISIS” when asked about his actions by a crowd, according to the complaint. Prosecutors claim the pair aimed to cause more destruction than the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, which resulted in three deaths and over 260 injuries.
Authorities reported that both suspects are from Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Balat lives in Langhorne, while Kayumi resides in Newtown. The exact nature of their relationship remains unclear, but a source close to the case indicated they traveled to New York City in a car borrowed from an acquaintance. The associate was unaware of their intentions.
Separately, questions have arisen about unexplained explosion sounds in Pennsylvania from January, which occurred in a town adjacent to where one of the suspects lived, according to NBC Philadelphia. The connection between these earlier incidents and the current case is under scrutiny.
Mamdan, New York City’s first Muslim mayor, addressed the matter at a Monday news conference. He and his wife were at a Brooklyn museum when the explosives were deployed, and he criticized the attack as a “vile protest rooted in white supremacy.” The mayor emphasized the symbolic significance of the location, noting the protest took place outside his official home.
