Federal officials have opened an investigation following the throwing of a homemade explosive during a confrontation between far-right demonstrators and counterprotesters outside the official residence of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Saturday.

According to New York City Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch on Sunday, an initial assessment by the NYPD’s bomb squad concluded that the object was an improvised explosive capable of causing serious injury or death, rather than a hoax or smoke bomb. Tisch confirmed that two individuals were apprehended at the scene.

The FBI announced that its Joint Terrorism Task Force is supporting the investigation alongside the NYPD and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.

The event unfolded during a clash between counterprotesters and an anti-Islam demonstration led by far-right activist Jake Lang at Gracie Mansion. The FBI stated on Sunday that two devices were hurled.

Mamdani, the city’s first Muslim mayor, was with his wife when the incident took place. “Violence at a protest is never acceptable,” the mayor stated in a release, labeling the use of an explosive device as “not only criminal” but also “reprehensible and the antithesis of who we are.” Mamdani further noted that his administration is keeping a close watch on the situation.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul also commented, adding: “There is no place for violence of any kind in our State and those responsible for this cowardly act will be held accountable.”

Here is a summary of what we currently know.

What transpired?

Authorities have charged 18-year-old counterprotester Emir Balat with throwing a lit device toward the demonstration area at approximately 12:38 p.m. on Saturday. At a Saturday news briefing, Tisch described the device as being smaller than a football, resembling a jar wrapped in black tape and filled with nuts, bolts, and screws, with a lightable hobby fuse. While witnesses reported seeing flames and smoke as it flew, Tisch noted that the device “hit a barrier and put itself out a few feet from police officers.”

Balat was taken into custody along with 19-year-old Ibrahim Kayumi, who police allege provided one of the projectiles. No injuries were reported, and formal charges have not yet been filed against the two men.

Four additional protesters were arrested, including 21-year-old Ian McGinnis, who was accused of utilizing pepper spray against the counterprotesters.

As the investigation proceeded into Sunday, the NYPD reported discovering a suspicious device in a vehicle on East End Avenue between 81st and 82nd Streets, which necessitated the evacuation of nearby structures. Police successfully neutralized the device several hours later, and the area was reopened.

What is known about the individuals connected to the bomb?

Reports indicate that Balat, a U.S. citizen, resides with his parents in Pennsylvania. His parents, originally from Turkey, were naturalized as U.S. citizens in 2017. Meanwhile, Kayumi’s parents are reportedly from Afghanistan, having obtained naturalization in 2004 and 2009.

An ABC-affiliated outlet reported that FBI agents conducted raids on the homes of Kayumi and Balat in Newtown and Langhorne, respectively, both located in Bucks County, Pa.

In an interview, Kayumi’s father, Khayer Kayumi, mentioned that they started looking for their son after he failed to return home Saturday afternoon. “If he’s going to be five minutes late, he calls,” the elder Kayumi said. “We didn’t know what was going on.”