Chaos Erupts Near Gracie Mansion

A dramatic scene unfolded near NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s home on Saturday when an 18-year-old counter-protester, Emir Balat, allegedly lit and threw a suspected explosive device during dueling demonstrations.

It all started when two separate protests clashed near East End Avenue and East 87th Street. The initial protest, organized by associates of pardoned Jan. 6 rioter Jake Lang, drew about 20 participants, while the counter-protest, ‘Run the Nazis out of New York City: Stand Against Hate,’ had around 125 participants at its peak.

Tensions Escalate

Despite NYPD officers separating the groups, things took a turn when a protester associated with Lang used pepper spray against counter-protesters. About 30 minutes later, Balat allegedly threw an ‘ignited device’ toward the protest area, landing in the crosswalk of East 87th Street and East End Avenue.

Witnesses reported seeing flames and smoke as the device traveled through the air before it struck a barrier and extinguished itself. Balat then ran south, retrieved a second device from a 19-year-old man, Ibrahim Nikk, lit it, and started running before dropping it on the west side of East End Avenue.

Authorities took Balat and Nikk into custody, and video showed police detaining Balat, with his face pressed into the pavement, as he shouted expletives.

Investigation Underway

The NYPD and FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force are investigating the incident, which involved two ‘suspicious items’ near Gracie Mansion. Responding bomb squad crews examined the devices, finding they were jars wrapped in black tape and contained nuts, bolts, and screws, along with a hobby fuse.

It’s still unclear whether the devices were functional improvised explosive devices or hoax devices, but officers continue to sweep the surrounding blocks for additional devices.

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch praised responding officers for ‘running toward danger when everyone else runs away,’ and thankfully, no injuries were reported.