Bucks Co. Teens Recorded Plans For NYC Terror Plot: Indictment

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — An eight-count indictment has been brought against two Bucks County teenagers who lit homemade bombs in a New York City terror plot — in which they recorded their conversation —with plans to kill "as many as people as possible."

The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York on Tuesday brought the indictment against Emir Balat, an 18-year-old from Middletown Township, and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, of Newtown Township.

With the indictment, the federal government has formally charged the two teenagers in connection with an alleged "Isis-inspired" terrorist attack outside the residence of the New York City mayor on March 7.

Balat, a Neshaminy High School senior, was recorded on dashcam video shortly before he allegedly unsuccessfully attempted to detonate two explosive devices, discussing with Kayumi that they'd be engaging in "martyrdom," and Balat described leaving behind a note, the indictment states.

“These individuals allegedly prepared explosive devices and attempted to detonate them on the streets of New York in the name of ISIS, but their plan failed thanks to the brave police officers who acted quickly,” FBI Director Kash Patel said in the indictment.

Balat and Kayumi traveled to New York City with IEDs to kill as many people as possible, FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle, Jr. said.

“The alleged notes and instructions recovered from their vehicle demonstrate just how much cruelty they had planned," he said.

Balat and Kayumi drove from Bucks County to Manhattan and parked near Gracie Mansion. They then walked to the site of the protest and counter-protest, and at 12:15 p.m., Balat ignited and threw an improvised explosive device toward the area where the protesters were gathered, the indictment states.

Immediately after throwing one device, Balat ran to another location down the block, where Kayumi passed Balat a second improvised explosive device.

Balat ignited and dropped that device on the ground near several NYPD officers and then ran from the scene, jumping over a barricade in the process. NYPD officers tackled and arrested Balat shortly thereafter, and Kayumi was arrested nearby, the indictment states.

The indictment states that following his arrest, while en route to the NYPD precinct, Balat stated to NYPD officers transporting him: “This isn’t a religion that just stands when people talk bad about . . . our prophet. We take action! We take action!”; and “If I don’t do it, someone else will come and do it.”

Later, at the NYPD precinct, Balat requested a piece of paper and, after being given a paper and pen, wrote the following: “All praise is due to Allah lord of all worlds! I pledge my allegiance to the Islamic State. Die in your rage yu [sic] kuffar!" the indictment states. ( Emir B.” “Kuffar” is an Arabic term that refers to “non-believers” or “infidels,” and “Die in your rage” is a slogan used by ISIS.)

When law enforcement officers asked Balat if he was familiar with the Boston Marathon bombing, and if that was what Balat had hoped to accomplish, Balat responded: “No, even bigger. It was only three deaths.”

After Kayumi was arrested and waiting to be placed inside an NYPD vehicle, an individual from the surrounding crowd yelled to Kayumi and asked why he had done this. Kayumi responded, “ISIS," the indictment states.

(Elizabeth Williams via AP) Emir Balat, left, and Ibrahim Kayumi, far right, are escorted into Manhattan federal court in New York on Monday.