New surveillance details and a fireworks executive's commentary reveal the routine nature of fuse purchased by one of two teens accused in the terrorism probe over the March 7 IED attack near NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani's Gracie Mansion residence.
Surveillance video provided to CBS News shows 18-year-old Emir Balat entering Phantom Fireworks in Penndel, Pennsylvania, on March 2—five days before the attack—at 12:46 p.m. He bought a 20-foot roll of safety fuse for $6.89 including tax.
William Weimer, the company's vice president and general counsel, described the sale as unremarkable: "Coming in and buying that was uneventful. Had he bought 20 rolls of fuse, it might have raised eyebrows. But buying one or two items of anything in this store is almost a nonevent. Nothing remarkable about the purchase."
The FBI reached out to the store's national security director on Monday as part of the expanding probe into Balat and 19-year-old Ibrahim Kayumi, both Bucks County residents charged with five federal terrorism and explosives counts, with an indictment expected.
As previously reported, the pair drove to New York City on March 7 for a counter-protest against an anti-Islam event near Gracie Mansion. CBS-verified videos capture Balat hurling an ignited IED that extinguished after striking a crosswalk barrier feet from officers, per NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch. Balat then retrieved a second device from Kayumi, lit it, and dropped it while running.
Law enforcement sources detail the IEDs as a sports-drink bottle filled with explosive material inside glass jars, packed with nuts and bolts for shrapnel. Prosecutors allege Balat drew ISIS inspiration, aspiring for impact beyond the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.
Balat's attorney, Mehdi Essmidi, stated outside court they intend to vigorously contest the charges. Kayumi's lawyer did not respond to comment requests.
