Man Detained After Throwing Explosive Devices Outside Zohran Mamdani’s New York Residence

Tensions flared outside the official residence of New York mayor Zohran Mamdani on Saturday after a man allegedly threw smoking devices during a protest organised by far-right activists. Police quickly detained the suspect while officers secured the area around the mayor's residence as demonstrators and counter-protesters clashed.

Authorities later confirmed that the devices contained various metallic components but it was still unclear whether they were functional explosives or merely hoax imitations.

Devices Thrown Near Police Line During Protest

According to New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch, the incident unfolded during a protest outside Gracie Mansion.

Far-right influencer Jake Lang had organised the protest alleging "Islamification" and calling for an end to "public Muslim prayer" in the city. Police said around 20 protesters joined Lang's demonstration while nearly 125 counter-protesters gathered nearby.

During the protest, an 18-year-old suspect identified as Amir Balat allegedly threw two smoking devices near police officers and the protest crowd.

"Witnesses reported seeing flames and smoke as it travelled through the air before it struck a barrier a few feet from police officers," Tisch said during a briefing.

"Mr Balat then...gets a second device from a man.

"Mr Balat lights the device and starts running with it. He then drops the device."

Police officers detained the suspect shortly after the incident while the area remained under heavy security deployment.

Bomb Squad Examines Suspicious Devices

Investigators later called in the bomb squad to examine the objects that had been thrown.

"The bomb squad responded and...based on a preliminary examination and X-ray imaging, the devices which were a bit smaller than a football appeared to be a jar wrapped in black tape -- importantly with nuts, bolts and screws along with a hobby fuse that could be lit," Tisch said.

"We don't yet know if they contained energetic (explosive) material."

Authorities said there was currently no indication that the incident was connected to the ongoing hostilities involving Iran.

Counter-Protesters Speak Out Against Hate

Witnesses at the scene said the suspect shouted "Allahu akbar" ("God is the greatest") during the chaos. Police believe the suspect appeared to be part of the counter-protest group opposing the demonstration organised by Lang.

Teacher Mia Kurzer, who attended the counter-protest, said she joined the gathering to challenge what she described as hateful rhetoric.

"I showed up because we have to show that hate has no place in our city," Kurzer told AFP.

"We democratically elected a mayor who is Muslim -- and that's New York. We have different cultures, and we have to celebrate those cultures."

She added: "I think (Lang) is an idiot. I think he underestimates the power of the people."

Arrests And Scuffles During Demonstration

The protest also saw several tense moments between the opposing groups. Police reported minor scuffles during the confrontation, including one incident where a protester aligned with Lang used pepper spray against counter-protesters.

Authorities confirmed that the individual involved in the pepper spray incident was arrested. Three additional arrests were made for disorderly conduct.

Commissioner Tisch also noted that Mayor Mamdani was not believed to be present at the residence at the time of the protest.

Another counter-protester, Wally Khan, criticised Lang's actions and past behaviour.

"This is very in line with what he does from city to city," Khan said. "He tried to burn a Quran in...Dearborn" Michigan.

Investigations into the devices and the broader incident are continuing.