Investigators are looking at the pair’s past travel to Turkey and other possible locations "known as terror training grounds."
Federal sources told Fox News’ CB Cotton that investigators are looking at the pair’s past travel to Turkey and other possible locations "known as terror training grounds."
CBS News’ Anna Schecter reported that Balat, 18, had traveled to Turkey for several months in 2025, and returned to the US in January. Balat’s parents are from Turkey originally. Kayumi, 19, had traveled to Turkey and Saudi Arabia in 2024.
Outside the New York City governor’s mansion on Saturday, Balat allegedly threw an IED that failed to detonate. He then attempted to throw a second device that he had gotten from Kayumi, who was nearby. A third device was found in a car connected to the men.
Balat and Kayumi have been charged with five counts in relation to the attempted attack: attempted provision of material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization, use of a weapon of mass destruction, transportation of explosive materials, interstate transportation and receipt of explosives, and unlawful possession of destructive devices.
At a precinct after being taken into custody, Balat wrote on a piece of paper, "All praise is due to Allah lord of all worlds! I pledge my allegiance to the Islamic State. Die in your rage yu kuffar!" Balat told police that they wanted to carry out an attack bigger than the Boston Marathon bombing, which Balat said caused only "three deaths."
Kayumi was captured on body camera footage, saying, when asked by the crowd why he had done it, "ISIS." Kayumi told police at an NYPD precinct that he has "watched ISIS propaganda on his phone."
Attorney General Pam Bondi said of her department, "We have indicted the two alleged ISIS-inspired terrorists who attempted to bomb a protest in New York City. We will not allow ISIS’s poisonous, anti-American ideology to threaten this nation. Our law enforcement officers will remain vigilant."
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