Two Men Recorded Planning NYC Terror Attack to Kill 60 People

NEW YORK, NY — Two men who brought homemade bombs to a protest outside New York City’s mayor’s home were recorded on dashcam footage describing their plan to kill as many as 60 people in a bid to “start terror,” according to a federal indictment released Tuesday.

Emir Balat, 18, and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, drove from Pennsylvania to Manhattan on March 7 carrying explosive devices containing TATP and shrapnel to target an anti-Islam demonstration outside Gracie Mansion. The men, who later told police they were inspired by ISIS, threw two homemade bombs during the protest, but neither device exploded and both suspects were quickly detained. The new indictment reveals prosecutors have dashcam audio and video recordings from the suspects’ vehicle that captured their detailed planning conversations.

In the recordings, Balat said he wanted to target “the government” and “civilians also,” according to the court filing. “All I know is I want to start terror, bro,” Kayumi allegedly responded during their drive to the attack site. The protest was hosted by Jake Lang, a far-right activist and critic of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the first Muslim to hold the office. FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle Jr. said in a statement that “Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi traveled to New York City with IEDs to kill as many people as possible in an ISIS-inspired terrorist attack.” Police recovered the suspects’ vehicle after the failed bombing attempt near Gracie Mansion.

Prosecutors said Balat was recorded telling Kayumi that he had “calculated” the devices were “going to kill about 8 to 16 people,” or as many as 60 if the area was crowded with protesters and counter-protesters. According to the indictment, Balat warned Kayumi to throw the device as quickly as possible and went over their attack plan step by step. “I’m going to say 3, 2, 1, and I’m going to take it out as fast and controlled as possible,” Balat said in the recording, according to court documents. Balat also allegedly said he was “going to just start attacking police” and could “throw an explosive device in a cafe” if their initial plan did not work. It remains unclear whether the men knew they were being recorded by their vehicle’s dashboard camera system.

Police recovered a notebook from inside the suspects’ car that outlined an alternative plan for a vehicle attack targeting festivals, parades and celebrations throughout the New York area, according to the indictment. The FBI also found explosive residue in a storage unit connected to the case, according to previous court filings. Video evidence shows one of the suspects, later identified as Balat, purchasing fuse material at a fireworks store before the attack. The men appeared to be self-radicalized and officials said the plot was not connected to overseas terrorist organizations, though the suspects claimed ISIS inspiration. Federal investigators described the case as demonstrating how young people can become radicalized and attempt serious terrorist attacks on American soil.

Both men are being held without bail on federal charges that include attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and using a weapon of mass destruction. They have not been required to enter a plea to the charges. At an initial court appearance last month, Balat’s attorney Mehdi Essmidi said his client had “complicated stuff going on” in his life but declined to elaborate further. Kayumi’s attorney declined to speak with reporters following the hearing. Neither defendant responded to voice messages left by reporters Tuesday evening after the new indictment was unsealed. The case is being prosecuted in Manhattan federal court, where both suspects appeared for their initial arraignment on March 9. Defense attorneys Michael Arthus and Mehdi Essmidi represented the defendants during the proceedings.

Barnacle noted that “the alleged notes and instructions recovered from their vehicle demonstrate just how much cruelty they had planned.” The investigation involved coordination between the FBI, NYPD, and other federal agencies to piece together evidence of the planned attack. Law enforcement officials said the case highlights ongoing concerns about domestic terrorism and the radicalization of young Americans through online propaganda. The March 7 incident occurred during heightened tensions in New York City over Middle Eastern conflicts and rising incidents of both anti-Muslim and anti-Semitic activities. Security around Gracie Mansion and other city government buildings has been increased following the incident.

The case remains under active federal investigation as prosecutors continue to build their terrorism charges against both defendants. No trial date has been set, and both men remain in federal custody pending further court proceedings.