Two Suspects Arrested as FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force Joins Investigation
New York counterterrorism police are investigating an incident where a man threw “ignited devices” near a far-right protest outside the official residence of Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Saturday. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated the devices contained nuts, bolts, screws, and a fuse, but it remains unclear if they were functional improvised explosives or hoax imitations.
The FBI New York confirmed its Joint Terrorism Task Force is “actively investigating” alongside the NYPD. Commissioner Tisch added there is no indication the incident is related to ongoing hostilities in Iran.
Protest Context and Arrests
The protest was organized by far-right influencer Jake Lang, who demonstrated against alleged “Islamification” and called for an end to “public Muslim prayer” in front of Gracie Mansion. Mayor Mamdani is Muslim. Police reported Lang’s group drew about 20 people, while approximately 125 counterprotesters gathered.
During the event, an 18-year-old identified by police as Amir Balat, wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and beige cargo pants, was handed a smoking device wrapped in tape by another activist. He dropped it near a police line before vaulting a barrier and threw a second similar device toward Lang’s group.
“Witnesses reported seeing flames and smoke as it travelled through the air before it struck a barrier a few feet from police officers,” Tisch said in a briefing. Balat and the other man were quickly detained by the heavily deployed police.
Device Composition and Police Response
The NYPD bomb squad conducted a preliminary examination. “The devices which were a bit smaller than a football appeared to be a jar wrapped in black tape — importantly with nuts, bolts and screws along with a hobby fuse that could be lit,” Commissioner Tisch explained. “We don’t yet know if they contained energetic [explosive] material.”
Police arrested six people in total. Arrests included a protester from Lang’s group who used pepper spray, the two men connected to the devices, and three others for disorderly conduct and obstructing traffic.
Community Reaction and Mayor’s Whereabouts
Counterprotester and teacher Mia Kurzer, 23, told AFP she attended to show “that hate has no place in our city.” She added, “We democratically elected a mayor who is Muslim — and that’s New York.” Another counterprotester, Wally Khan, criticized Lang’s history, referencing a past attempt to burn a Quran in Dearborn, Michigan.
Commissioner Tisch stated she did not believe Mayor Mamdani was home at the time of the incident. The investigation into the nature and intent of the devices is ongoing.
