Explosives thrown outside New York mayor Zohran Mamdani's residence; 6 arrested

Manhattan police arrested six people on Saturday after a protest outside Gracie Mansion, the official residence of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani turned violent when suspected explosive devices were thrown during clashes between protesters.Authorities said one protester allegedly hurled two smoking projectiles containing bolts and screws during the confrontation, prompting an investigation and multiple arrests.A video circulating online showed one individual handing the device to another shortly before the arrest was made outside the mansion.

Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the devices appeared to be improvised objects. Tisch said the objects were "a bit smaller than a football" and appeared to be jars wrapped in tape containing nuts, bolts, screws and a "hobby fuse," The New York Times reported.

The bomb squad is still analysing the devices and has not yet confirmed whether they were live explosives or dummies.Detailing the incident, Tisch said during a press briefing that,"Witnesses reported seeing flames and smoke as it travelled through the air before it struck a barrier and extinguished itself a few feet from police officers."The incident began when far-right activist Jake Lang organised a demonstration titled "Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City" near the Upper East Side residence of Mayor Mamdani, who is New York’s first Muslim mayor.

Lang arrived with about 20 supporters, some wearing American flag hats and "Freedom" sweatshirts, a slogan associated with slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk. He also brought a goat to the protest.As the gathering continued, more than 100 counter protesters arrived at the scene, shouting at Lang and his supporters. Tensions soon escalated.Police said one of Lang’s supporters used pepper spray on a group of counter protesters, causing several people to double over in tears.

Soon after, fistfights broke out, and objects including raw eggs were thrown in the crowd.During the chaos, a protester threw two smoking objects, one of which landed on East 87th Street in flames, prompting people nearby to run for cover.The FBI’s New York field office later confirmed it had recovered two "suspicious objects" from the area near Gracie Mansion. The bureau said its Joint Counterterrorism Task Force is now investigating the incident alongside the NYPD.Police identified several individuals taken into custody during the protest.Among them was Emir Balat, 18, of Langhorne, Pennsylvania, who authorities say threw the smoking devices toward the crowd. Ibrahim Nikk, 19, is accused of providing one of the objects used in the incident. Another arrest involved Ian McGinnis, 21, who police said used pepper spray against counterprotesters during the clashes.Authorities said charges against Balat and Nikk were still being determined pending analysis of the devices.

McGinnis is expected to face reckless endangerment charges, according to a former senior law enforcement official.Police said Mayor Mamdani and his wife were not at Gracie Mansion when the protest took place.New York Governor Kathy Hochul said she had been briefed on the situation. While acknowledging the right to protest, she emphasised that violence would not be tolerated. She said the state respects peaceful demonstrations but has "zero tolerance for hate or violence."