New York City police identify device outside NY Mayor's Home

New York City Police said on Sunday a device that was ignited and thrown during protests outside Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s home over the weekend was an explosive that could have caused serious injury or death.



The device, a jar filled with nuts, bolts and screws and wrapped in black tape with a fuse, was thrown by a counterprotester on Saturday outside Gracie Mansion, but it extinguished itself before any explosion, according to a statement from New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch.



Two people were in custody, Tisch said.



The device was one of two that were thrown during the protests, which were led by two opposing groups, according to police.



The second device was still being examined, Tisch said.



Far-right activist Jake Lang led a protest on Saturday outside Gracie Mansion - where Mamdani lives with his wife - against a purported Islamic “takeover” of New York City and against public prayer by Muslims.



Tisch said at a press conference on Saturday that she did not believe Mamdani and his wife were home at the time.



In a statement on Sunday, Mamdani condemned Lang’s protest but said the violence that followed it was more disturbing.