Was the IED at New York’s Gracie Tower a terrorist attack? Suspect mentions ISIS; FBI launches investigation
An improvised explosive device (IED) that could have caused “serious injury or death” was reportedly detonated and thrown during a protest near Gracie Mansion led by Jack Long on Saturday. new york city officials.
The devices were discovered near the Upper East Side home earlier in the day, prompting a major security response involving the New York Police Department (NYPD), federal investigators and the bomb squad. Authorities subsequently detained several people in connection with the incident.
Multiple people familiar with the matter told NBC News that the militant group ISIS was mentioned, prompting investigators to look into whether the incident was related to the militant group.
Read more: Gracie Mansion protest: Two people detained after throwing ‘ignition device’ into crowd
ISIS reference prompts terrorism probe
Two men were detained, Amir Barat Ibrahim al-Qayumi is being questioned by federal agents and the New York Police Department while in federal custody after the device was set alight, according to FBI officials.
NBC News reports that federal and local law enforcement agencies are investigating possible terror plots. According to authorities, one of the suspects mentioned the Islamic State group during questioning.
The reference prompted investigators to look into whether the suspect was motivated by extremist ideology or had any ties to known terror networks.
Video depicting chaos during the protest showed a man appearing to shout “Allahu Akbar,” which means “God is greatest,” while protester Amir Barat, 18, of Pennsylvania, reportedly threw a “lit device.”
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force has launched a terrorism investigation, CBS News reported. In Pennsylvania and New Jersey, search warrants are expected to be executed.
Read more: Jack Long claims he survived Gracie Mansion protests
“Improvised Explosive Device (IED)”
After the suspect was arrested, the devices were taken to FBIQuantico facility for analysis by the NYPD bomb squad.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said one of the devices was found to be an “improvised explosive device (IED)” and not a “hoax device or smoke grenade.”
According to CBS, the IED was made from tripacetone triperoxide (TATP), a volatile explosive material. The explosive materials were contained in glass jars and surrounded by debris such as bolts and nuts. According to CBS News, the fuse appeared to be related to M80-style fireworks.
Barratt’s first device went off on its own after hitting a barrier in a crosswalk a few feet away from police, Tisch said.
Barat then allegedly took the second device from 19-year-old Ibrahim Kayumi, set it on fire and began running with it before throwing it away, according to Tisch.
