Bodycam Footage Shows NYC Bomb Suspect Declaring: “We Take Action!” [WATCH]

Federal authorities say body camera footage captured statements from one of the suspects arrested in connection with an attempted bombing at a demonstration in New York City, shedding light on the alleged motivation behind the attack, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.

According to a prosecution complaint filed Monday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, 18-year-old Emir Balat and 19-year-old Ibraham Kayumi were taken into custody following the incident, which occurred Saturday outside Gracie Mansion, the official residence of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Authorities say the attack targeted a demonstration held outside the residence. The protest was described in the complaint as “Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City, Stop New York City Public Muslim Prayer.”

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A counter-demonstration also took place nearby, which the complaint said was called “Run Nazis out of New York City.”

According to the complaint, shortly after noon, Balat ignited and threw what investigators later determined to be a bomb toward individuals attending the protest.

Authorities allege that Balat then obtained a second explosive device from Kayumi.

The complaint states that Balat ignited the second device and dropped it near police officers who were approaching the scene before attempting to flee.

This is by FAR the clearest footage we have seen of the man who lit the bomb, dropped it at an officer’s feet and fled.

It happens so fast it’s hard to see, so I’ve slowed the footage and added arrows so you can see it.

He literally drops it RIGHT AT the feet of an officer. pic.twitter.com/y5nMNh7ibK

— Matt Van Swol (@mattvanswol) March 9, 2026

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Law enforcement officers arrested Balat shortly afterward. Kayumi was also taken into custody soon after the incident.

While Balat was being transported to a precinct, police body cameras recorded comments he made about the attack, according to the complaint.

“This isn’t a religion that just stands when people talk about the blessed name of the prophet,” Balat said in the recorded moment, according to the prosecution filing.

“We take action! We take action!”

Authorities say the explosive devices were intended to cause fatalities among those attending the demonstration.

After arriving at the precinct house, Balat was reportedly given paper and a pen. According to the complaint, he wrote a message declaring support for the Islamic State terrorist organization.

“All praise is due to Allah lord of all worlds,” Balat wrote, according to the complaint. “I pledge my allegience [sic] to the Islamic State. Die in your rage yu [sic] kuffar!”

The complaint notes that the word “kuffar” refers to non-Muslims and that “die in your rage” is a slogan associated with the Islamic State based on a verse from the Quran.

Investigators also questioned Balat about the scale of the attack he was allegedly attempting to carry out. According to the complaint, authorities asked whether he had been trying to carry out an attack similar to the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, in which two brothers detonated explosives near the finish line of the race.

That attack killed three people and injured hundreds more. One of the suspects was killed during a shootout with police, while the other was later captured and is currently on federal death row.

When investigators referenced that attack, Balat allegedly responded that he intended something larger.

“No, even bigger,” Balat replied, according to the complaint. “It was only three deaths.”

Federal prosecutors say both Balat and Kayumi are facing several charges related to the incident. According to CBS News, the charges include attempting to provide material support and resources to ISIS, use of a weapon of mass destruction, transportation of explosive materials, interstate transportation and receipt of explosives, and unlawful possession of destructive devices.

Both suspects are from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, located northeast of Philadelphia.

CBS News reported that Balat’s family is of Turkish origin and that his parents became naturalized U.S. citizens in 2017. Kayumi’s parents are from Afghanistan and became naturalized American citizens in 2004 and 2009, according to the report.

The case remains under investigation as federal authorities continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the attempted bombing.

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