New York City law enforcement officials are probing whether improvised explosive devices that were tossed during counterprotests near Gracie Mansion on Saturday have any link to ISIS, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said.
The devices, none of which detonated, were thrown amid clashes that took place as a demonstration organized by far-right activist Jake Lang unfolded outside the mayor’s official residence. The demonstration has been described as a "Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City" event. The explosive devices were delivered during the counterprotest activity nearby.
Tisch said Monday that the devices possessed the capacity to cause serious injury or death, underscoring the potential severity of what occurred even though the devices did not explode. Two individuals are currently in police custody in connection with the incident; both remain uncharged at this time.
The investigation is a joint effort. The Police Department is working with federal prosecutors and with the FBI. Agents from the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force have been assigned to the case, reflecting the federal agency’s involvement in the inquiry.
At a Monday news conference, Commissioner Tisch said: "I can confirm this morning that this is being investigated as an act of ISIS-inspired terrorism." Her statement indicates that investigators are treating the incident through the lens of terrorism potentially motivated or inspired by ISIS, while the inquiry continues.
Authorities have not announced any formal charges tied to the alleged actions of the two people currently held, and details about the specific nature of the devices beyond their classification as improvised explosive devices have not been provided publicly. Officials have also not disclosed additional investigative findings or any conclusions about the motive beyond the characterization by Tisch.
As the investigation proceeds, law enforcement coordination between city and federal authorities will remain central. The involvement of federal prosecutors and the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force signals the case will continue to be examined at multiple jurisdictional levels while prosecutors and investigators evaluate evidence and potential charges.