One of the suspects accused of throwing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) at protesters outside the New York City mayor’s residence purchased materials used in the attack just days beforehand at a Pennsylvania fireworks store, according to a report.
Emir Balat, 18, allegedly bought a roll of safety fuse at a Phantom Fireworks store in Penndel, Pennsylvania, on March 2, five days before the incident near Gracie Mansion, the official residence of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, according to surveillance video obtained by CBS News.
The footage reportedly shows Balat entering the store at 12:46 p.m. and purchasing a 20-foot roll of safety fuse for $6.89.
“Coming in and buying that was uneventful,” Phantom Fireworks Vice President and General Counsel William Weimer told CBS News. “Had he bought 20 rolls of fuse, it might have raised eyebrows. But buying one or two items of anything in this store is almost a nonevent.”
Emir Balat, the 18-year-old Muslim from Pennsylvania charged with terrorism for throwing two homemade bombs into a anti-Muslim crowd near Gracie Mansion on Saturday, reportedly bought the fuse used in the devices at Phantom Fireworks in Penndel, a Philadelphia suburb, on March 2.… pic.twitter.com/EHBslRqvyz
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) March 10, 2026
The FBI is investigating the attack as a potential act of terrorism. In a statement on Monday, FBI Director Kash Patel said, “The defendants allegedly support ISIS and tried to follow the path of that deadly group by attempting to detonate explosive devices in a crowd. The FBI and our partners have no tolerance for terrorist organizations or those inspired by them to engage in attacks. We are committed to stopping acts of violence and will hold accountable those who seek to harm our citizens.”
The FBI contacted the company’s national security director on Monday, Weimer said.
Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, both residents of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, are accused of traveling to New York City on Saturday to participate in a counter-protest against an anti-Islam demonstration organized by influencer Jake Lang.
Video from the scene shows Balat throwing an ignited device toward police near the mayor’s residence. It has since been identified as an IED.
According to the Associated Press, the first device struck a barrier and extinguished itself near officers. Balat allegedly ran away, retrieved a second device from Kayumi, lit it, and began running with it before dropping it.
Law enforcement sources told CBS News the devices consisted of sports-drink bottles containing explosive material placed inside glass jars and packed with fragmentation such as nuts and bolts.
The investigation has expanded beyond the initial attack, with law enforcement probing whether additional explosive materials were staged near the scene.
A day after the attempted bombing outside Gracie Mansion, the New York City Police Department shut down nearby streets after officers discovered another suspicious device inside a parked vehicle on East End Avenue, only blocks from the mayor’s residence.
Officials later determined the device did not pose an immediate threat, but investigators said the discovery underscored the seriousness of the incident and the possibility that additional materials tied to the suspects could still be uncovered.
Authorities have also uncovered additional evidence linked to the two suspects in Pennsylvania. During searches connected to the case, investigators located explosive residue in a storage unit tied to the suspects and conducted controlled detonations as part of the investigation, according to federal officials.
Prosecutors said Balat later told police he was inspired by ISIS and wanted the attack to be “even bigger” than the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013. Balat and Kayumi have been charged with five counts related to terrorism and possession of explosive materials. Federal prosecutors say an indictment is expected.
