Two teenagers have been charged after authorities say an improvised explosive device was thrown during a protest near Gracie Mansion, the official residence of the city’s mayor.
Law enforcement sources identified the suspects as Ibraham Kayumi, 19, and Emir Balat, 18. Investigators allege the pair threw a homemade explosive during clashes between demonstrators over the weekend.
According to officials, the device was constructed using triacetone triperoxide, commonly known as TATP — a highly unstable explosive sometimes referred to as “Mother of Satan.” Authorities say the substance can be produced using materials that are relatively easy to obtain, but it is extremely volatile and capable of causing serious injury or death.
The explosive was reportedly placed inside a sports drink bottle and thrown during a confrontation between protesters supporting activist Jake Lang and counter-protesters.
Police said the device did not detonate. Officers secured the area and took suspects into custody following several scuffles at the protest.
Jessica Tisch, commissioner of the New York City Police Department, said the department’s bomb squad determined the object was a real improvised explosive device rather than a harmless object.
“It is, in fact, an improvised explosive device that could have caused serious injury or death,” Tisch said in a statement, praising officers who quickly responded and detained the suspects.
Authorities said both the NYPD and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are investigating the incident. Search warrants were executed at locations in Pennsylvania connected to the suspects as part of the inquiry.
Zohran Mamdani, the mayor of New York City, condemned the violence in a statement, saying that attempting to use an explosive device against others during a protest was criminal and unacceptable.
Police also returned to the scene the following day after investigators discovered another taped bottle inside a Hyundai linked to one of the suspects.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities examine the device and gather additional evidence related to the incident.
