Afghan immigrant parents of ISIS-inspired NYC bombing suspect own a Popeyes chicken franchise, millions in PA property

Ibahim Kayumi and 18-year-old Emir Balat were indicted on Monday on multiple federal charges, including use of a weapon of mass destruction and attempting to provide material support to ISIS. The two were arrested on Saturday after allegedly throwing a homemade bomb outside the residence of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Kayumi’s parents are Afghan immigrants who came to the US decades ago and became citizens between 2005 and 2009. Kayumi himself is an American citizen. According to a report by the Daily Mail, Kayumi grew up in a wealthy town north of Philadelphia, living with his parents in a $2.25 million home that was raided by the FBI on Sunday. The family’s residential portfolio includes five other homes in the city, which are rented out by his father, Khayer.

The family also co-owns a Popeyes chicken franchise. Khayer Kayumi holds a 30 percent equity stake in a Stroudsburg location. In January, he filed a lawsuit against his business partner, Shaima Ghafary, alleging fraud, breach of contract, and shareholder oppression.

According to the complaint, Ghafary has owned the franchise since June 2011 and controls the restaurant’s operations and finances. Khayer Kayumi claims she failed to pay him more than $250,000 in business income. Kayumi’s parents, including his mother, Shaysta Kayumi, also appear to work as managers at the location. Their son Mohammad has reportedly worked at the restaurant since 2015.

Reports that Kayumi came from a well-off immigrant family drew attention following the attack. Authorities claim that Kayumi and Balat travelled to New York City to carry out the bombing, where they approached anti-Islam protesters and threw homemade explosives.