Arrests Made After Device Thrown Outside Mamdani’s Home, Bomb Squad Called

Police have arrested several people after a suspicious device was discovered outside the official residence of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani during a protest.

The incident occurred on Saturday, March 7, near Gracie Mansion on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, where demonstrators had gathered earlier in the day.

According to New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, a device described as a jar wrapped in black tape and containing nuts, bolts, screws, and a fuse was thrown during the protest. Officers moved the crowd back after smoke began coming from the object.

Following the discovery of the devices, the commissioner said officers established a safety perimeter around the area and began a comprehensive search for any additional hazards.

She said that includes canine sweeps as well as manual canvassing of the surrounding blocks, including inspections of garbage cans underneath vehicles and other locations where additional devices could potentially be hidden. According to Tisch, these sweeps are still ongoing.

Bomb squad responds

The police chief added that the New York City Police Department (NYPD) bomb squad responded to the scene to examine the device and determine whether it functioned as an explosive or a smoke-generating device.

“At this time, we do not yet know whether the devices were a functional improvised explosive devices or hoax devices, because we don’t yet know if there was energetic material contained in them,” said Tisch.

“Both recovered devices are being transported by the bomb squad in a total containment vessel to Rodman’s neck for further testing and analysis.”

Authorities said two people were initially taken into custody after video footage appeared to show one individual passing the device to another before police made arrests outside the residence.

Tisch later confirmed that six people were arrested during the incident. Two suspects were accused of throwing the suspicious device, according to police sources.

Additional arrests included one person accused of disorderly conduct and another person accused of deploying pepper spray during the confrontation. No injuries were reported.

“In total, six arrests were made today in connection with the events. Those arrests include the two individuals responsible for handling and deploying the devices, the individual who used pepper spray earlier in the protest, and additional arrests related to disorderly conduct and obstructing traffic.”

Protest outside residence of Mayor Mamdani

The demonstration outside the mayor’s residence involved a small group of protesters and a larger number of counter-protesters.

Videos shared online show a chaotic scene as demonstrators shouted at one another outside the mansion gates. At one point, counter-protesters were reportedly sprayed with pepper spray as they pursued individuals believed to be involved in the incident.

Authorities have not confirmed whether Mayor Mamdani or his wife, Rama Duwaji, were inside the residence at the time but the New York City Police Commissioner said she has been in contact with the mayor.

“I have been in regular communication today with Mayor Mamdani about the situation.”

According to the mayor’s public schedule released earlier in the week, Mamdani had no public events planned Saturday but was expected to be in New York City.

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Police sources said the protest was organized by a known agitator and included participants protesting Mamdani’s leadership.

Some demonstrators had gathered to protest what organizers described as the “Islamification of New York City,” according to reports about the rally.

Mamdani, elected earlier this year, is the first Muslim mayor of New York City. The protest also drew counter-demonstrators who gathered outside the mayor’s residence to oppose the rally.

Investigation underway

Police have not yet confirmed whether the device recovered outside the residence was capable of detonating. Investigators from the NYPD bomb squad are continuing to examine the object as part of an ongoing investigation.

Authorities have also not confirmed whether the device was intended to target the mayor specifically.

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“As of now, there is no indication that this is related to the ongoing hostilities in Iran, but the investigation is still ongoing, given the heightened threat environment,” Tisch added.

Since taking office, Mamdani’s administration has focused on reducing crime and implementing social programs.

City data released earlier this year showed shootings and murders during January and February were at their lowest levels on record for those months.

Major crime has declined by roughly eight percent citywide compared with the same period the previous year.

The mayor has also promoted policies, including expanded homelessness outreach programs and the introduction of a universal childcare initiative that will begin offering thousands of free places for two-year-olds later this year.

City officials have not yet issued a formal statement about Saturday’s incident outside the mayor’s residence. Police said the investigation remains ongoing.

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