Topics: Zohran Mamdani, News, US News, Crime, Police
Police have issued an update after an 'explosive device' was thrown outside Zohran Mamdani’s home.
The incident took place during a clash between far-right protesters and counter-demonstrators outside the residence of the New York City mayor on Saturday (7 March).
Mamdani, 34, is a Democratic Socialist who was sworn in as the mayor of the Big Apple at the start of this year (1 January) after winning the election back in November.
His historic win made him not only the city's first Muslim mayor, but also the first of South Asian descent, and the youngest leader in over a century.
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The protest over the weekend was by anti-Islam demonstrators, led by right-wing influencer Jake Lang, as reported by The Guardian.
It also attracted a large crowd of counter-demonstrators, and things quickly turned violent, resulting in six arrests, including an 18-year-old suspect, who was detained for allegedly throwing a smoking device containing nuts, bolts, screws, and a 'hobby fuse' into the crowd.
On Sunday (8 March), police issued an update, confirming that one of the devices that was thrown was an 'improvised explosive device that could have caused serious injury or death'.
In a post on X, New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said: "The New York Police Department's Bomb Squad has conducted a preliminary analysis of a device that was ignited and deployed at a protest yesterday and has determined that it is not a hoax device or a smoke bomb.
"It is, in fact, an improvised explosive device that could have caused serious injury or death."
Tisch confirmed that 'further analysis will be conducted, including on a second device' and named two people who had been arrested on the scene.
"Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi were arrested on scene yesterday and are in custody in connection with this matter. The NYPD is working on this investigation with our partners at the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the FBI through our Joint Terrorism Task Force," the update concluded.
The Commissioner added: "I want to again thank the brave members of the NYPD who ran towards the danger without hesitation and quickly apprehended the suspects."
The FBI said on X: "FBI New York continues to be engaged with NYPD and all of our law enforcement partners actively investigating the two devices thrown outside Gracie Mansion yesterday afternoon. The FBI and NYPD confirmed the suspicious items to be improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Additionally, the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) will be conducting interviews, reviewing videos, collecting evidence, and chasing down all leads. Rest assured, the FBI, NYPD, NYSP, and all our law enforcement partners are working tirelessly to ensure this city and its residents are safe."
Meanwhile, Mamdani said in a statement that the protest was 'rooted in bigotry and racism', adding that 'such hate has no place in New York City. It is an affront to our city’s values and the unity that defines who we are'.
He added: "What followed was even more disturbing. Violence at a protest is never acceptable. The attempt to use an explosive device and hurt others is not only criminal, it is reprehensible and the antithesis of who we are.
"I want to thank the brave men and women of the NYPD who acted quickly to keep New Yorkers safe. Our officers ran toward danger without hesitation, demonstrating once again the courage and dedication it takes to protect this city every single day.
"My administration is closely monitoring the situation, and I remain in close contact with our Police Commissioner."
