‘I want to start terror, bro’: Teens accused of bombing Mamdani residence were discussing openly about mass destruction

A newly unsealed indictment has revealed chilling details about two teenagers, Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi, who are accused of attempting to detonate explosive devices during a protest in New York City, as reported by The Guardian. Court papers show the teens openly discussed potential casualties, with one allegedly stating, “I want to start terror, bro.”

Prosecutors claim that Balat, 18, and Kayumi, 19, who are alleged Islamic State supporters, drove from Pennsylvania to New York with the bombs. They were arrested on March 7 after allegedly igniting two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) during an anti-Islam protest outside Gracie Mansion, the residence of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Balat allegedly lit one device and threw it towards protesters. Kayumi then reportedly handed Balat another device, which Balat allegedly dropped near several police officers before attempting to flee. Both were apprehended shortly thereafter.

The indictment lays out an eight-count charge sheet against the pair, including serious accusations like conspiracy to provide material support and resources to a foreign terrorist organization, and the provision and attempted provision of such support. They also face charges for conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction and the attempted use of one. The list continues with carrying explosives during the commission of a federal felony, transportation of explosive materials, interstate transportation and receipt of explosives, and unlawful possession of destructive devices.

The teens’ nonchalant behavior when talking about mass killings and destruction really shows the power of brainwashing from a young age

The incident itself unfolded on Saturday, March 6, outside Gracie Mansion, which sits on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. The protest was organized by far-right provocateur Jake Lang and about 20 supporters, under the banner “Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City.” There was also a counter-protest happening at the same time. Mayor Mamdani, who is the city’s first Muslim mayor, and his family were thankfully not at home during the incident.

What’s really unsettling is that the dashboard camera video in Balat and Kayumi’s car allegedly recorded their conversations about potential casualties. Kayumi reportedly told Balat, “All I know is I want to start terror, bro,” and “I want to petrify these people.” Balat, in turn, allegedly claimed he had “calculated it” and that their plan was “gonna kill about 8 to 16 people,” potentially up to 60 if the protest was heavily attended.

The court papers, citing this dash-cam footage, also reveal Balat allegedly saying, “Just can’t wait for that bomb to go off and his [Individual-1’]s’ freaking head, his body to get split in half, bro, dead.” Kayumi’s alleged response to this apparent target was equally chilling: “He hasn’t posted anything [on social media] yet” and “bro, this is so cool.”

Neither of the devices allegedly thrown by the teenagers actually exploded. The NYPD bomb squad was able to make both devices safe. New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch later confirmed that these were not hoax devices or smoke bombs. She stated, “They were improvised explosive devices that could have caused serious injury or death.” Tisch also revealed that the devices contained triacetone triperoxide (TATP), a highly volatile homemade chemical explosive often referred to as “mother of Satan.”

After their arrests, the situation became even clearer. While being taken to the police precinct, Balat allegedly made statements like, “This isn’t a religion that just stands when people talk bad about … our prophet. We take action! We take action!” He also reportedly said, “If I don’t do it, someone else will come and do it.”

Balat allegedly waived his right to remain silent and purportedly wrote on a piece of paper, “All praise is due to Allah lord of all worlds! I pledge my allegience [sic] to the Islamic State. Die in your rage yu [sic] kuffar! Emir B.”

Prosecutors also noted that Kayumi waived his rights and admitted to consuming “radical content” online. An FBI agent with the New York joint terrorism taskforce, Jennifer Gioia, confirmed in the criminal complaint that Balat and Kayumi both admitted their involvement. Balat even reportedly expressed a desire for his bombing to be “even bigger” than the 2013 Boston marathon attack.