The NYPD confirmed the device thrown at a group of Christian anti-Islam protesters was an explosive capable of inflicting serious harm.
The announcement came after some attempted to label the incident a hoax.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the device was an improvised explosive device that could have killed several protesters and NYPD officers.
Tisch wrote on X that the Bomb Squad’s preliminary analysis determined the ignited device was not a hoax or a smoke bomb but an improvised explosive device that could have caused serious injury or death.
Tisch also said testing was underway on a second device that had been lobbed at NYPD officers.
She thanked the brave members of the NYPD who ran toward the danger and quickly apprehended the suspects.
Sunday’s confirmation followed an initial Bomb Squad investigation and analysis of the device recovered at the scene.
The NYPD Bomb Squad has conducted a preliminary analysis of a device that was ignited and deployed at a protest yesterday and has determined that it is not a hoax device or a smoke bomb. It is, in fact, an improvised explosive device that could have caused serious injury or…
— Jessica S. Tisch (@NYPDPC) March 8, 2026
Location and Clashes
The incident happened Saturday afternoon near East End Avenue and East 87th Street adjacent to Gracie Mansion, the official residence of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
One group consisted of anti-Islam protesters organized by right-wing activist Jake Lang while a larger group of counter-protesters also gathered at the scene.
Clashes between the groups occurred before the bomb-throwing and two additional arrests were made related to those disturbances.
The Attack and Arrests
A man ran into the crowd, shouted “Allahu Akbar,” and threw the explosive device into the protesters.
Smoke was seen coming from the device, which led to initial reports that it was a smoke bomb.
Police moved in and apprehended the suspect after he grabbed another device from a 19-year-old accomplice.
The second device landed just in front of a group of NYPD officers before the suspect was taken into custody.
At the protest outside Gracie Mansion in NYC, a shocking moment was captured on video. In the exact second the incident unfolded, an Arab male can be seen running toward activist Jake Lang while yelling “Allahu Akbar,” holding what appears to be an explosive device before… pic.twitter.com/nyoKTYjEaZ
— Viral News NYC (@ViralNewsNYC) March 7, 2026
Mamdani’s NYC. pic.twitter.com/9Z8tqmFHAc
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) March 8, 2026
The suspects were identified as Emir Balat, 18, of Pennsylvania, who lit and threw the first device, and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, of Pennsylvania, who provided the second device.
Balat lit the second device, attempted to flee while holding it, dropped it on the street, and was then apprehended by NYPD officers.
Both individuals are U.S. citizens, according to a federal law enforcement source who spoke with the New York Post.
Device Details and Federal Probe
The devices were described as jars wrapped in black tape, smaller than a football, packed with nuts, bolts, screws, and a hobby fuse.
Neither device fully detonated and no injuries were reported from the incident.
The NYPD is working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force on the investigation.
Federal officials joined the probe because of possible terrorism links and multiple law enforcement sources indicated the suspects admitted to being inspired by ISIS, according to a report from CNN.
The FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force is working with the NYPD to assess any broader threats or motivations.
