FBI finds ‘explosive residue’ in storage unit related to ‘ISIS-inspired terrorism’ outside NYC mayor’s home
FBI finds ‘explosive residue’ in Pennsylvania storage unit tied to ‘ISIS-inspired terrorism’ near NYC mayor’s home
The Federal Bureau of Investigation revealed on Tuesday that explosive residue was discovered in a storage facility in Pennsylvania, which is suspected to be associated with an ISIS-linked attack near the residence of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani over the weekend. Authorities conducted a controlled detonation of the materials, as stated by the FBI on X.
Two Pennsylvania teenagers, Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, and Emir Balat, 18, are charged federally with ties to the incident. The attack involved improvised explosive devices hurled outside Gracie Mansion during demonstrations. No detonations occurred, and no injuries were reported. A law enforcement official confirmed that multiple components and chemicals were extracted from the storage unit.
Surveillance Footage Linked to Suspect
NBC News secured footage purportedly showing Balat purchasing a fireworks fuse from a Pennsylvania store on March 2, five days before the incident. The video, shared with NBC by Phantom Fireworks, captures Balat entering its Penndel location at approximately 12:40 p.m. and completing a purchase of a 20-foot green safety fuse with cash.
“The video demonstrates Balat registering his ID with an employee, a standard procedure for all customers,” said Alan Zoldan, Phantom Fireworks’ Executive Vice President.
Zoldan disclosed that federal prosecutors issued a subpoena, prompting the company to retrieve records that matched Balat’s name. The FBI has not provided additional comments.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Federal charges include unlawful possession and use of a “weapon of mass destruction,” transporting explosives, and attempting to support a “designated foreign terrorist organization.” Balat’s attorney, Mehdi Essmidi, requested protective custody for his client at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn during a court hearing on Monday.
“This is a publicly declared terror trial, the city of New York, he’s 18, and he’s exposed to the general population of what is called a hellhole,” Essmidi told NBC News.
Kayumi’s attorney did not immediately respond to a comment request. Both suspects are from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, with Balat in Langhorne and Kayumi in Newtown, according to authorities.
Connections to Previous Explosions
Questions arose about whether unexplained explosions in Pennsylvania earlier this year might be linked to the suspects. NBC Philadelphia noted the incidents occurred in a town adjacent to where one of the individuals resided. The mayor, Zohran Mamdani, criticized the attack at a Monday news conference, stating that he and his wife were visiting a Brooklyn museum when the devices were deployed.
“This is a vile protest rooted in white supremacy,” Mamdani remarked, highlighting the event’s location outside his official home.
Authorities are still investigating how the suspects connected, though a source indicated they traveled from Pennsylvania to New York City in a vehicle lent by an associate who was unaware of their intentions.
