Photo: Ryan Murphy / Getty Images News / Getty Images
Federal investigators have uncovered additional explosive materials at a Bucks County storage facility linked to two Pennsylvania teenagers accused of throwing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) outside the New York City mayor's residence in an ISIS-inspired attack.
Emir Balat, 18, of Middletown Township, and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, of Newtown Township, face multiple federal terrorism charges after allegedly detonating IEDs near Gracie Mansion — the official home of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani — on Saturday (March 7) during a protest clash.
According to the PhillyBurbs, the FBI's New York field office confirmed Tuesday (March 10) on its X account that "explosive residue" was found inside a Public Storage unit on South Flowers Mill Road in Middletown Township. FBI special agent bomb technicians and local bomb squad personnel conducted at least three controlled detonations late Monday (March 9) to safely dispose of the materials.
Middletown Township police confirmed the detonations in a Facebook post, acknowledging that nearby residents may have heard loud bangs overnight. "As part of the ongoing federal investigation that took place yesterday, the FBI safely disposed of explosive materials that were recovered during the execution of search warrants," the post read. "These controlled detonations were conducted by trained personnel and were carried out in a controlled manner."
The storage facility is located close to the homes of both suspects. It has since reopened, and the FBI said the operation there has concluded.
Action News (6ABC) reported that surveillance video shows Balat inside a Phantom Fireworks store in Penndel on Monday (March 2) — five days before the attack — purchasing a 20-foot consumer firework safety fuse for $6.89. Bill Weimer, vice president and general counsel at Phantom Fireworks, said the company checked its records after learning the suspects' names and then contacted the FBI. The FBI responded with a subpoena for the sales record and video footage, which is now part of the federal investigation.
According to the criminal complaint, both suspects told investigators they were inspired by the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS). Balat reportedly told investigators he hoped to achieve something "even bigger" than the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, which killed three people and injured hundreds. The homemade devices were wrapped in bolts and nails; one contained the highly volatile explosive TATP. The devices failed to fully detonate, and no one was injured.
Fox News reported that the two suspects allegedly joined a crowd of counterprotesters at a small anti-Muslim rally organized by far-right activist Jake Lang near Gracie Mansion. Lang, a Christian nationalist, organized a "Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City" rally and has been a vocal critic of Mayor Mamdani, a Democrat and the first Muslim to hold the office.
Journalists photographed Balat throwing a smoking device with a lit fuse into the protest crowd. He then dropped a second device near police officers and attempted to flee before being tackled and arrested. Kayumi's mother filed a missing person report with police on Saturday (March 7), the day of the incident, saying her son had not been seen since that morning.
Balat is a senior at Neshaminy High School in Langhorne, though school superintendent Jason Bowman confirmed he had enrolled in a virtual program in September and had not attended in-person classes since. Kayumi is a 2024 graduate of Council Rock High School North in Newtown Township.
Balat's attorney, Mehdi Essmidi, said his client had "complicated stuff going on" in his personal life and added, "I believe he's 18 and he doesn't have any idea what he's doing." Essmidi also said he did not believe the two young men had known each other for long. Kayumi's attorney declined to comment.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Tuesday (March 10) called the attack "absolutely despicable" and said government investigators and prosecutors "won't rest until the perpetrators are brought to justice." New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said there were no indications the attack was connected to the ongoing war in Iran, but noted the city remained on a heightened state of alert.
Both suspects were ordered held without bail following their court appearance. They face a five-count federal complaint that includes charges of possessing and using a weapon of mass destruction and attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. No plea was entered. The investigation remains ongoing.