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NYPD Chief Who Tackled Gracie Mansion Bomb Suspect Speaks Out as Teens Face Federal Terror Charges

Edwards describes a split-second decision that secured the scene and led to swift arrests.

Overview

  • Emir Balat, 18, and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, are in federal custody and have been charged with terrorism offenses following the Gracie Mansion incident.
  • Video shows a device with a lit fuse landing near Chief Aaron Edwards and Sgt. Luis Navarro moments before Edwards vaulted a barricade to tackle Balat.
  • Navarro moved toward a second device as officers cleared the area, and images of the takedown drew more than 13 million views online.
  • The confrontation unfolded at an anti-Muslim rally led by Jake Lang outside the mayor’s residence, where clashes with counter-protesters preceded the arrests.
  • City officials publicly praised Edwards and Navarro, and federal investigators continue probing the devices and reported ISIS-inspired rhetoric linked to the suspects.