The ISIS-loving teens charged with hurling homemade bombs outside Gracie Mansion were arraigned on federal terrorism charges Wednesday — as prosecutors said they need more time to comb through the pair’s phones and laptops.
Emir Balat, 18, and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, were ordered held without bail in Manhattan federal court for allegedly tossing the devices, which failed to detonate during a protest outside Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s residence on March 7.
Two ISIS-inspired teens hurled homemade bombs outside Gracie Mansion during a protest March 7. AFP via Getty Images
A courtroom sketch of Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi getting arraigned on federal terrorism charges on April 15, 2026. REUTERSThe troubled teens appeared before US District Judge Vernon Broderick wearing tan prison garb and pleaded not guilty to the charges, while federal prosecutor Jane Chong said the feds are need at three more weeks to scour through “more than a dozen” electronic devices.
According to the feds, the two allegedly chatted about the chaos they wanted to cause — with the conversation caught on dashcam as they drove into the Big Apple that morning.
“All I know is I want to start terror, bro,” Kayumi allegedly told Balat in one exchange. “I want to petrify these people.
“Oh yeah, what do you think, are they going to remove the airplanes for us… over New York? Are they going to stop them? If we do the attack and the bombs go off and everything,” Balat allegedly said.
“I’m gonna just start attacking police,” he added.
One of the homemade bombs tossed at a protest outside Gracie Mansion on March 7. AFP via Getty Images
NYPD Assistant Chief Aaron Edwards was hailed a hero after he hurdled a barricade to nab the bombers. Gregory P. Mango for NY PostThe ISIS-inspired pair were part of a pro-Muslim counter-protest group that sought to disrupt a right-wing demonstration by hurling the dud devices near cops and protesters. They were quickly chased down by police, led by NYPD Assistant Chief Aaron Edwards.
Both wannabe terrorists admitted that they were inspired by ISIS propaganda and sought to claim more victims than the three innocent people killed in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.
Balat and Kayumi, who both came from well-to-do Pennsylvania families, were turned over to the feds on terrorism charges, leading to Wednesday’s court appearance.
The federal indictment alleged that the pair talked about maiming as many as 60 civilians at the Gracie Mansion demonstration organized by white supremacist Jake Lang, and discussed a second attack to drive a vehicle into crowded “festivals, parades,” a “protest” and “celebrations.”
The incident outside the mayor’s mansion produced an iconic image of NYPD Assistant Chief Aaron Edwards hurdling over a police barricade to nab the suspects.
Both pleaded not guilty in court Wednesday.
