NEW YORK, NY - Two men were arrested at the scene of dueling protests that took place outside of Gracie Mansion earlier in March after a suspected homemade explosive was reportedly ignited and thrown, landing near police officers, before extinguishing itself, as reported by Fox News Digital.
At Gracie Mansion, Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s official mayoral residence, a chaotic scene unfolded on March 7 as dueling protests escalated into what investigators believe could have resulted in a mass casualty event had a suspected explosive detonated as seemingly intended.
An initial protest had reportedly formed, which was dubbed “Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City: Stop New York City Public Muslim Prayer,” which had apparently been organized by former January 6 detainee Jake Lang. The demonstration had amassed approximately 20 participants, according to reports, but also managed to attract a counter-protest consisting of approximately 125 participants.
Counter-protesters had labeled their opposing demonstration “Run the Nazis out of New York City: Stand Against Hate,” and two individuals reportedly part of the counter-demonstration allegedly had nefarious plans in store for Lang’s small group.
According to authorities, a man identified as 18-year-old Emir Balat had thrown what was described as an “ignited device” toward protesters in Lang’s group, reportedly landing mere feet away from officers posted at a barrier near a crosswalk at East 87th Street and East End Avenue. Luckily, the device reportedly extinguished on its own.
After tossing the object, authorities say Balat began running southbound on East End Avenue toward 86th Street, where he allegedly retrieved a second device from a man identified as 19-year-old Ibrahim Nikk. Balat allegedly ignited the second device while fleeing the area, dropping it between 86th and 87th Streets on East End Avenue. The second device also seemingly failed to detonate.
Officers took Balat and Nikk into custody shortly after the incident, with video from the scene showing their apprehension.
A bomb squad responded to the scene and took possession of the two devices, which were reportedly crudely taped mason jars slightly smaller than a football. Subsequent x-rays of the devices revealed they contained nuts, bolts, and screws along with an ignitable fuse, telltale signs of a homemade explosive.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch noted in a statement regarding the investigation that it’s unclear whether the devices were intended to detonate or not, saying, “We do not yet know whether the devices were functional improvised explosive devices or hoax devices, because we don't yet know if there was energetic material contained in them.”
The FBI’s New York office confirmed in a statement that they’re working alongside the NYPD in the investigation, highlighting that the agency’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is looking into the incident.
Specific charges against Balat and Nikk have yet to be announced by officials as of this writing.
At Gracie Mansion, Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s official mayoral residence, a chaotic scene unfolded on March 7 as dueling protests escalated into what investigators believe could have resulted in a mass casualty event had a suspected explosive detonated as seemingly intended.
An initial protest had reportedly formed, which was dubbed “Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City: Stop New York City Public Muslim Prayer,” which had apparently been organized by former January 6 detainee Jake Lang. The demonstration had amassed approximately 20 participants, according to reports, but also managed to attract a counter-protest consisting of approximately 125 participants.
Counter-protesters had labeled their opposing demonstration “Run the Nazis out of New York City: Stand Against Hate,” and two individuals reportedly part of the counter-demonstration allegedly had nefarious plans in store for Lang’s small group.
According to authorities, a man identified as 18-year-old Emir Balat had thrown what was described as an “ignited device” toward protesters in Lang’s group, reportedly landing mere feet away from officers posted at a barrier near a crosswalk at East 87th Street and East End Avenue. Luckily, the device reportedly extinguished on its own.
After tossing the object, authorities say Balat began running southbound on East End Avenue toward 86th Street, where he allegedly retrieved a second device from a man identified as 19-year-old Ibrahim Nikk. Balat allegedly ignited the second device while fleeing the area, dropping it between 86th and 87th Streets on East End Avenue. The second device also seemingly failed to detonate.
Officers took Balat and Nikk into custody shortly after the incident, with video from the scene showing their apprehension.
A bomb squad responded to the scene and took possession of the two devices, which were reportedly crudely taped mason jars slightly smaller than a football. Subsequent x-rays of the devices revealed they contained nuts, bolts, and screws along with an ignitable fuse, telltale signs of a homemade explosive.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch noted in a statement regarding the investigation that it’s unclear whether the devices were intended to detonate or not, saying, “We do not yet know whether the devices were functional improvised explosive devices or hoax devices, because we don't yet know if there was energetic material contained in them.”
The FBI’s New York office confirmed in a statement that they’re working alongside the NYPD in the investigation, highlighting that the agency’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is looking into the incident.
Specific charges against Balat and Nikk have yet to be announced by officials as of this writing.
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