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Police were already on scene monitoring the protests when tensions began escalating. Shouting matches quickly turned into shoving and scuffles between demonstrators, forcing officers to separate individuals as the situation grew increasingly volatile.
The situation took a dramatic turn roughly half an hour after the protests began.
Suspect Allegedly Throws Nail Bomb Toward Protesters and Police
According to witnesses and law enforcement officials, a man later identified as 18-year-old Amir Balat suddenly emerged from the crowd of counter-protesters carrying what appeared to be an explosive device.
Balat allegedly lit the device before throwing it toward the group of Christian demonstrators. The device landed in a crosswalk near police officers and witnesses reported seeing flames and smoke before it struck a barrier and fizzled out.
A photo from the scene shows the device landing just feet from NYPD officers standing nearby.
Witnesses also reported that the suspect shouted “Allah Akbar” before throwing the device.
Authorities say Balat did not stop there.
Second Device Retrieved From Accomplice
Police say Balat ran down East End Avenue where he allegedly received a second explosive device from a 19-year-old accomplice identified as Ibrahim Nikk.
Investigators say the device was constructed using black tape and filled with dangerous metal fragments such as nuts, bolts, and screws, along with a hobby-style fuse.
Balat reportedly lit the second device while running along the avenue before dropping it on the street.
NYPD officers quickly moved in to stop the suspect before the situation could escalate further.
Dramatic Arrest and Bomb Squad Response
After dropping the second device, Balat attempted to flee the area but was tackled by a large group of NYPD officers who were already responding to the unfolding emergency.
The NYPD Bomb Squad was immediately dispatched to secure the area and safely neutralize the devices.
Authorities confirmed that the explosives were smaller than a football but still potentially dangerous due to the shrapnel packed inside.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch later described the frightening moment during a press conference.
“Witnesses reported seeing flames and smoke as it traveled through the area before it struck a barrier and extinguished itself a few feet from police officers.”
She added further details about the suspect’s actions.
“Mr. Balat then ran southbound on East End Ave. toward E. 86th St. and gets a second device from a man tentatively ID’ed as Ibrahim Nikk, 19 years old. Mr. Balat lights the device and starts running with it before dropping it on the avenue’s west side between E. 86th and E. 87th Streets.”
Terrorism Investigation Underway
In total, six individuals were taken into custody following the confrontation. Two suspects are facing charges connected to the explosive devices, while the remaining arrests stem from clashes that broke out between the rival protest groups, including incidents involving pepper spray and physical fighting.
Federal authorities are now involved in the case.
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force has joined the investigation and is examining whether the nail bombs constitute a domestic terrorism attack.
Despite the explosive devices landing dangerously close to both protesters and police officers, officials confirmed that no injuries were reported.
Still, the event sparked panic among demonstrators and bystanders, many of whom ran for safety when the devices were thrown.
Lang later took to social media to describe the terrifying moment.
He said the explosive device landed only a few feet away from him and claimed he had narrowly escaped death, describing the incident as an “assassination attempt” carried out by “two Muslim men.”
The activist also pointed out that he had previously been violently attacked during another protest event in Minneapolis, where he said he was stabbed and beaten by a mob of left-wing agitators.
As investigators continue examining the explosive devices and the suspects’ motivations, the alarming incident has once again raised serious concerns about escalating political violence and extremist threats on America’s streets.
