An 18-year-old man, identified as Emir Balat, has declared his allegiance to the Islamic State after being arrested on Saturday following an attempted terrorist attack in New York City.
Video circulating online shows Balat throwing an improvised explosive device (IED) filled with nuts and bolts toward anti-Islam protesters and police before attempting to escape. Footage captures him leaping over a guardrail and fleeing law enforcement after detonating the device.
Balat, who operated alongside 19-year-old co-accused Ibrahim Kayumi of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, targeted anti-Islam activist Jake Lang and his supporters during a demonstration near Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s home. During questioning by authorities, Balat reportedly launched into a tirade and stated: “All praise is due to Allah lord of all worlds! I pledge my allegiance to the Islamic State. Die in your rage you kuffar!”
According to police reports, Balat told investigators he intended the attack to be “even bigger” than the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing and that he was affiliated with ISIS with the goal of killing “infidels.” New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed two IEDs were deployed during the incident, designed to “injure, maim, or worse.” Attorney General Pam Bondi announced charges against both suspects for their attempted bombing of the protest.
Critics have also condemned Mayor Mamdani for omitting suspected terrorists’ names in his initial statement about the attack while referencing anti-Islam activist Jake Lang.
