CrimeNew YorkNYCPolitics

Homemade Explosive Devices Spark Terror Scare Near NYC Mayor’s Residence

RNN Staff

A terror scare unfolded Saturday in New York City after suspected homemade explosive devices packed with nuts, bolts, and screws were thrown toward a crowd during dueling protests near Gracie Mansion on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.

The incident occurred late Saturday morning near the mayor’s official residence as two opposing demonstrations gathered in the area. Authorities say tensions escalated between the groups before the situation quickly turned dangerous.

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said investigators are still working to determine whether the devices were functional explosives or hoaxes. She emphasized that the information released so far is preliminary and could change as the investigation continues.

Police said the first protest began around 11 a.m. near Gracie Mansion. The event, titled “Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City, Stop New York City Public Muslim Prayer,” drew about 20 participants and was organized by individuals associated with January 6 defendant Jake Lang.

A nearby counter protest called “Run the Nazis out of New York City, Stand Against Hate” attracted roughly 125 people at its peak. Officers established separate protest zones for both groups, but tensions escalated shortly before noon.

At approximately 12:15 p.m., police said a protester associated with the Lang demonstration used pepper spray against counter protesters and was taken into custody.

About twenty minutes later, the situation intensified further when police say an 18 year old counter protester identified as Amir Balat ignited and threw a device toward the protest area.

Witnesses reported seeing flames and smoke trailing behind the object before it struck a barrier and went out just feet away from police officers stationed nearby.

According to investigators, Balat then fled the scene and obtained a second device from a 19 year old man tentatively identified as Ibrahim Nick. Police say Balat ignited that device while running before dropping it nearby.

Officers quickly secured the area and detained both individuals. The entire sequence was captured on NYPD surveillance cameras.

Bomb squad technicians responded to the scene and conducted an initial examination of the devices. Tisch said early inspections indicated the objects appeared to be jars wrapped in black tape, slightly smaller than a football, filled with nuts, bolts, and screws and fitted with a hobby style fuse.

Authorities are still working to determine whether the devices contained explosive material or were simply hoaxes designed to cause panic.

Both devices were transported by the bomb squad to the department’s Rodman’s Neck training facility for further testing and analysis.

Police established a safety perimeter around the area and conducted additional sweeps using canine units while officers manually searched garbage cans, vehicles, and nearby areas for any additional hazards.

In total, six people were arrested in connection with the events. Those taken into custody include the two men accused of handling the devices, the protester involved in the pepper spray incident, and several others charged with disorderly conduct and obstructing traffic.

Some individuals on social media claimed that one of the suspects shouted “Allahu Akbar” during the chaos, though authorities have not confirmed that claim.

Commissioner Tisch praised the officers who responded to the incident and moved toward the danger as the situation unfolded.

“I always speak about the police running toward the danger when everyone else runs away,” Tisch said. “Let me be clear, that happened today.”

She added that authorities are grateful no one was injured during the incident.

Tisch also said she remained in contact throughout the day with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani as the investigation progressed.

Authorities currently say there is no indication the incident is connected to ongoing tensions involving Iran, though investigators continue to examine all aspects of the case.

Frontlines TPUSA reporter Bronson Alford, who was present at the protests, said the counter protesters appeared highly organized and aggressive toward conservative journalists covering the event.

“The protesters weren’t normal protesters. They were ANTIFA and their goal was to hurt as many conservative journalists as they could,” Alford said. He added that the situation escalated rapidly as people began shouting about a bomb and smoke began filling the area.

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