Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said he spoke with Zohran Mamdani, the mayor of New York City, after two Bucks County teenagers were charged in connection with an alleged ISIS-inspired attempt to set off homemade explosive devices outside the mayor’s residence.
Shapiro said he contacted Mamdani to offer support following the weekend incident outside Gracie Mansion in Manhattan. The governor noted that his own family experienced political violence last year when a suspect set fire to the Pennsylvania governor’s residence, an experience that prompted him to reach out to the mayor.
The governor said he wanted to check on Mamdani and his family and speak with him as someone who had faced a similar situation. Shapiro added that Pennsylvania authorities would continue working with federal investigators and New York officials as the case moves forward.
Authorities said two teenagers from Bucks County were arrested Saturday after allegedly attempting to detonate explosive devices during a counterprotest outside the mayor’s residence. Officials said the suspects were motivated by extremist ideology linked to ISIS, though the devices did not detonate and no injuries were reported.
The suspects were identified as Emir Balat, 18, of Langhorne, and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, of Newtown. Investigators said the two told police they had planned to carry out a terrorist attack.
Law enforcement officials said the attempted attack occurred during a counterprotest responding to an anti-Islamic demonstration near the mayor’s residence. Authorities said the situation was quickly brought under control and the suspects were taken into custody.
Shapiro said Pennsylvania State Police are cooperating with federal agencies and New York authorities as the investigation continues and that officials are committed to ensuring accountability.
The governor has repeatedly condemned political violence and urged leaders across the political spectrum to do the same.
Shapiro and Mamdani had previously clashed publicly over political issues. Last year, Shapiro, who is Jewish, criticized the mayor, who is Muslim, for what he described as a failure to condemn antisemitic rhetoric by some supporters. Mamdani later contacted Shapiro and the two discussed their perspectives, including issues related to Israel.
Despite those disagreements, Shapiro said he felt it was important to reach out following the attempted attack and offer support as the investigation continues.
Source: Phila. Inquirer