Two individuals were taken into custody Saturday after authorities said a pair of “suspicious devices” were ignited during demonstrations outside Gracie Mansion, police said.
The incident occurred as an anti-Islam protest led by conservative influencer Jake Lang unfolded near the mayor’s residence, alongside a counterdemonstration. Jessica Tisch, commissioner of the New York City Police Department, told reporters that no injuries were reported.
Tisch initially said authorities believed Mayor Zohran Mamdani and first lady Rama Duwaji were not inside the residence at the time. However, police later clarified that Mamdani was in the mansion when the devices were set off. A spokesperson for the mayor said both Mamdani and his wife were unharmed.
“Thankfully, the mayor and the first lady are both safe, though the events are a stark reminder of the threats they both face regularly,” said mayoral spokesperson Joe Calvello.
Police said the department’s bomb squad examined the devices, which were described as smaller than a football. According to Tisch, each device appeared to be a jar wrapped in black tape and filled with items such as nuts, bolts, screws and a hobby-style fuse.
Authorities have not yet determined whether the objects were functioning improvised explosive devices or hoaxes.
“We do not yet know whether the devices were functional improvised explosive devices or hoax devices, because we don’t yet know if there was energetic material contained in them,” Tisch said.
The devices were taken into custody for further forensic testing and analysis as the investigation continues.
























