The FBI’s Evidence Response Team executed search warrants at homes in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, in connection with suspects Ibraham Kayumi (19) and Emir Balat (18).
The two were arrested after allegedly throwing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) during a clash between a group supporting right-wing figure Jake Lang and a counter-protest group supporting Muslims near the residence of Mayor Zohran Mamdani on March 8, 2026.
Images from the search scene showed FBI agents seizing evidence, including electronic devices and computer components, from Balat's home.
In a social media post, FBI New York stated they are working with the New York City Police Department (NYPD) to continue investigating the two explosive devices thrown during the protest.
According to authorities, the objects thrown were identified as improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
The explosive device was described as a sports water bottle containing TATP explosive, wrapped in construction tape. TATP is also known as the “Mother of Satan,” an explosive that has appeared in numerous terrorist attacks worldwide over the past decade.
Fortunately, the devices did not detonate after police forces quickly secured the scene and neutralized the explosives.
Video from the scene showed multiple altercations between protest groups, resulting in six arrests, including the two suspects accused of carrying the explosives.
The incident prompted local officials and police leaders to call for it to be treated as an act of terrorism.
The New York City Sergeants Benevolent Association stated that the incident was terrorist in nature and could have caused mass casualties had the devices exploded.
Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo also criticized the city administration's handling of the incident, calling for the case to be moved to the federal level for prosecution under anti-terrorism laws.
According to investigative sources, the two suspects are believed to have been influenced by extremist ideologies linked to ISIS and constructed the explosive devices using readily available materials.
Authorities stated that TATP is highly unstable and can explode without a detonator, making the material particularly dangerous.
The investigation by the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force is ongoing, including witness interviews, video analysis, and the collection of additional evidence.
