BREAKING UPDATE: Suspect referenced ISIS in interview with law enforcement after IED thrown during counter-protest near Mamdani's home

UPDATE: Additional details surfaced Sunday from law enforcement sources who spoke with NBC News reporter Tom Winter. According to the sources, the incident is being evaluated as “a possible act of terrorism” because “one of the suspects directly referenced ISIS in statements to law enforcement.”

Original story below

The New York City Police Department said Sunday that a device thrown during a protest outside Gracie Mansion the day before was an improvised explosive device capable of causing serious injury or death.

Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the department’s Bomb Squad completed a preliminary analysis of the device that had been ignited and deployed during Saturday’s demonstration.

“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 death,” Tisch said.

Two individuals, identified as Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi, were arrested during the incident and remain in custody. The NYPD said the investigation is being conducted with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York through the Joint Terrorism Task Force.

“I want to again thank the brave members of the NYPD who ran towards the danger without hesitation and quickly apprehended the suspects,” Tisch said.

The devices were discovered during demonstrations Saturday outside the residence of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on East End Avenue.

According to police, two separate protests gathered near East End Avenue and 87th Street around 11 a.m. One demonstration involved roughly 20 participants protesting what they described as an “Islamic takeover of New York City.” A counter protest organized by the group Stand Against Hate drew approximately 125 participants.

Police said an altercation earlier in the protest led to one arrest after a counter protester was pepper sprayed.

Around 12:35 pm, authorities said Balat lit and threw a device toward the protest area. Witnesses reported flames and smoke as it traveled through the air before striking a barrier near officers. Police said Balat later retrieved a second device from Kayumi before dropping it and being arrested.

Neither device exploded and no injuries were reported.
 

Mayor Zohran Mamdani issued a statement after the new revelations, first condemning a "white supremacist" organizer before then addressing the violence committed by the Islamists. He also failed to acknowledge the ideology of the suspects: "Yesterday, white supremacist Jake Lang organized a protest outside Gracie Mansion rooted in bigotry and racism. Such hate has no place in New York City. It is an affront to our city’s values and the unity that defines who we are.

"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. I want to thank the brave men and women of the NYPD who acted quickly to keep New Yorkers safe.

"Our officers ran toward danger without hesitation, demonstrating once again the courage and dedication it takes to protect this city every single day. My administration is closely monitoring the situation and I remain in close contact with our Police Commissioner."