Two Pennsylvania teenagers, Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi, were arrested after federal prosecutors say they threw jars packed with explosive materials at a protest outside Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s residence on the morning of March 7, 2026 in Manhattan; investigators described the objects as explosive devices and the shorthand ied appears in case discussions. Neither device detonated and both men are being held on federal charges that include attempting to provide support to the Islamic State. Manhattan U. S. Attorney Jay Clayton said the actions were “ISIS-inspired” at a news briefing on March 9, 2026 at 9: 04 PM ET.
Ied devices thrown at Gracie Mansion, prosecutors say
Prosecutors say Balat, 18, and Kayumi, 19, drove from Pennsylvania to Manhattan on March 7, parked a few blocks from Gracie Mansion and slipped into a crowd gathered for an anti-Islam demonstration and a group of counterprotesters. Authorities allege Balat threw two jars packed with explosive materials toward protesters and law enforcement; the devices did not detonate and no one was injured. Prosecutors have charged both men with multiple federal counts, including attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State.
Manhattan U. S. Attorney Jay Clayton said, “These were ISIS-inspired actions. ” New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch added, “This was not random violence. This was a planned attack motivated by extremist ideology and inspired by a violent foreign terrorist organization. ” Body-camera video shown in the complaint captured Kayumi responding “ISIS” when someone in the crowd asked why he had done it, and prosecutors say Balat, after waiving his rights, pledged allegiance to the Islamic State and said he hoped to inflict more carnage than the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.
Officials, defense and local reactions
Mayor Zohran Mamdani said, “Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi have been charged with committing a heinous act of terrorism and proclaiming their allegiance to ISIS. They should be held fully accountable for their actions. ” The FBI is involved in the investigation and announced a court-authorized search of a storage unit in Pennsylvania related to the incident.
Balat’s attorney, Mehdi Essmidi, said Balat has “complicated stuff going on” and suggested his client did not know Kayumi prior to the incident. “They’re strangers to each other, ” Essmidi said.
Local background and ties — brief context
Balat and Kayumi grew up roughly four miles apart in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, on tree-lined streets in affluent suburbs north of Philadelphia. Kayumi lives in Newtown; his parents emigrated from Afghanistan and became U. S. citizens in 2004 and 2009. Kayumi enrolled part time at Bucks County Community College in September 2024 after graduating earlier that year from Council Rock High School North. Former classmates described the area as affluent and not known for violence: Logan Lombardi said, “Nothing crazy happens around this area, ” and Connor McCormick said, “The high school and the town — people are pretty affluent. “
What’s next
Federal prosecutors unveiled charges on March 9, 2026 and the FBI has continued investigative steps, including the Pennsylvania storage-unit search. Court proceedings and pretrial motions are expected to follow; authorities say further investigative work will determine whether additional charges or evidence emerge as the case proceeds in federal court. The ied label remains part of public and legal discussion as investigators and prosecutors prepare for hearings and potential forensic disclosures in the coming weeks.
