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Investigators Cite Allegiance to ISIS

Court documents detail disturbing statements allegedly made by the suspects.

Investigators say Balat wrote a note declaring he had “pledged allegiance to the Islamic State.”

During interviews with police, he also allegedly said he wanted to carry out an attack “bigger than the Boston Marathon bombing.”

The Boston Marathon bombing in 2013 killed three people and injured hundreds.

Kayumi, meanwhile, reportedly told investigators that he watched ISIS content on his phone and considered himself “affiliated” with the terrorist organization.

Authorities have not yet determined whether the pair acted entirely on their own or were directly recruited by ISIS.

Officials Warn of Rising Youth Radicalization

Experts say the case reflects a troubling pattern.

Rebecca Weiner, who leads the NYPD’s counterterrorism intelligence efforts, warned that extremist violence is increasingly involving younger suspects.

“Younger and younger individuals are radicalizing and mobilizing to violence,” Weiner said.

She noted that social media and online culture often serve as catalysts for extremist indoctrination.

Officials say similar online radicalization played a role in the Bondi Beach terror attack in Australia last year, which authorities say was inspired by ISIS and killed 15 people.

Mayor Condemns Violence Despite Protest Tensions

The alleged attack unfolded during a heated demonstration that Mayor Zohran Mamdani criticized as fueled by bigotry.

Still, the mayor emphasized that violence — from any side — is unacceptable.

“Many of the counter-protesters met this display of bigotry peacefully,” Mamdani said.

“A few did not.”

He added that Balat and Kayumi traveled from Pennsylvania in an apparent attempt to escalate tensions.

Mamdani and Commissioner Tisch praised NYPD officers for responding quickly, preventing further violence and capturing the suspects.

Free Speech vs. Violence

Even as tensions simmered, Mamdani defended the right of the protest’s organizer, Jake Lang, to continue demonstrating outside his residence.

“Ours is a free society where the right to peaceful protest is sacred,” Mamdani said.

“It does not belong only to those we agree with.”

But he added a clear warning:

“New York City will never tolerate violence.”

Security Alert Remains Elevated

City officials stressed that the attempted bombing does not appear connected to ongoing geopolitical tensions involving Iran.

Still, authorities remain on high alert.

“We have been on a heightened state of alert in New York City since the start of hostilities in Iran,” Tisch said.

“And we remain in that posture today.”

For investigators, the case represents both a narrow escape and a chilling reminder: in an era shaped by social media and extremist propaganda, the path from online radicalization to real-world violence can be dangerously short.