New York City’s top cop said Sunday that the “suspicious device” thrown by counter-protesters in a clash outside Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s home turned out to be a homemade explosive.
Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the bomb squad confirmed that the smoke-spewing device could have blown up any moment after it was hurled by counterprotesters near Gracie Mansion.
“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,” she said.
Officials are still analyzing a second, similar device retrieved by police during the Saturday rally. Ms. Tisch originally described the devices as “a bit smaller than a football,” and they appeared to resemble “a jar wrapped in black tape.”
The two pro-Muslim counterprotesters accused of handling the devices — Emir Balat, 18, and 19-year-old Ibrahim Nikk — remain in jail after being arrested at the scene.
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and federal attorneys are helping with the investigation, the commissioner said.
Authorities said conservative influencer Jake Lang initially organized a 20-person protest called “Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City” around 12:30 p.m. Saturday.
In response, police said more than 120 people associated with the counterprotest “Run the Nazis out of New York City Stand Against Hate Group” came out to challenge Mr. Lang’s demonstration.
The two groups confronted each other, and the police became involved shortly afterward. Officials said the two devices were ignited moments later and caused the crowds to scatter.
Police said another protester was arrested for using pepper spray, and three others were handcuffed for disorderly conduct and obstructing traffic. Authorities said no one was injured during the demonstrations.
A spokesperson for Mr. Mamdani said he and his wife were home during the protests.
“Yesterday, white supremacist Jake Lang organized a protest outside Gracie Mansion rooted in bigotry and racism,” Mr. Mamdani wrote Sunday on X. “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,” he continued. “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.”
• Matt Delaney can be reached at mdelaney@washingtontimes.com.
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