Device ignited at Gracie Mansion protest was an improvised explosive, NYPD says

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/gracie-mansion-devices-bombs-rcna262
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A device thrown outside of Gracie Mansion on Saturday during dueling
protests in New York City was confirmed to be an improvised explosive
device, according to police. 

Two men were taken into custody after at least one of two devices was
ignited during an anti-Islam demonstration led by conservative
influencer Jake Lang and a counterprotest outside the mansion, which
serves as a residence for New York City’s mayor. It was unclear at the
time what the devices were and whether they were a danger to the public. 

An FBI spokesperson said that the two men detained in the case are in
federal custody, where they are being interviewed by federal agents and
the NYPD. 

Federal and local law enforcement are investigating the matter as a
potential act of terrorism in part because one of the suspects in
custody directly referenced ISIS in statements to law enforcement,
multiple people familiar with the matter told NBC News. 

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who is Muslim, was inside the
residence at the time of the incident. 

“Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi were arrested on scene yesterday and are
in custody in connection with this matter,” NYPD Commissioner Jessica
Tisch said in a post on X. 

Further testing is being conducted on both devices, the commissioner
said. 

Officials are working with federal prosecutors on the investigation,
Tisch said. It’s unclear whether charges have been filed against the
men. 

Mamdani thanked law enforcement officers who acted quickly and said in a
statement Sunday that he was working closely with Tisch on the case. 

He condemned the original event organized by Lang, whom he described as
a white supremacist, as one rooted in bigotry. That type of hatred “has
no place in New York City,” the mayor said. 

“What followed was even more disturbing. Violence at a protest is never
acceptable. The attempt to use an explosive device and hurt others is
not only criminal, it is reprehensible and the antithesis of who we
are,” Mamdani added. 

The Lang-led protest outside of Gracie Mansion was called “Stop the
Islamic Takeover of New York City, Stop New York City Public Muslim
Prayer” and drew roughly 20 people, according to police. But the
counterprotest drew roughly 125 demonstrators at its peak. 

Both groups were separated into designated areas by police when the
protests began at about 11 a.m. Saturday, but officials said that
tensions escalated within an hour. 

At 12:15 p.m., one protester from the Lang group fired pepper spray at
counterprotesters and was arrested, according to Tisch. Then shortly
after 12:30 p.m., Tisch said, an 18-year-old counterprotester “lit and
threw an ignited device toward the protest area." 

Both men detained in the case are from Pennsylvania, where law
enforcement officials went to speak to relatives and contacts, sources
familiar with the investigation told NBC News. 

Searches of both their homes and electronic devices are expected, two
sources said. 

NYPD's bomb squad is responding to an area near Gracie Mansion where
investigators believe the suspects had parked their car, according to
three sources familiar with the matter. They said a search will be
conducted to see if there are any additional explosives, describing it
as a precaution. 

The incident occurred halfway through the holy month of Ramadan, the
ninth month of the Islamic calendar, in which Muslims all over the world
fast from sunrise to sunset. It is meant to be a month of reflection and
spiritual connection in commemoration of when the first verses of the
Quran were revealed to Prophet Muhammad. 


-- 
November 5, 2024 - Congratulations President Donald Trump.  We look 
forward to America being great again.

We live in a time where intelligent people are being silenced so that 
stupid people won't be offended.

Every day is an IQ test. Some pass, some, not so much.

Thank you for cleaning up the disasters of the 2008-2017, 2020-2024 Obama 
/ Biden / Harris fiascos, President Trump.

Under Barack Obama's leadership, the United States of America became the 
The World According To Garp.  Obama sold out heterosexuals for Hollywood 
queer liberal democrat donors.