Two in custody after ‘suspicious devices’ found outside Gracie Mansion amid anti-Islam protest

Two people were taken into custody on Saturday after “suspicious devices” were found outside of Gracie Mansion, the official residence of the mayor of New York City.

The incident occurred amid an anti-Islam demonstration being held outside Gracie Mansion by conservative influencer Jake Lang. It was not immediately clear if Mayor Zohran Mamdani and first lady Rama Duwaji were home at the time.

A spokesperson for the New York Police Department said in a statement that “two suspicious devices” were found outside of the mayor’s home.

A person flees after throwing a homemade explosive device during a protest organized by far-right influencer Jake Lang in front of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s official residence on Saturday.Charly Triballeau / AFP – Getty Images

The NYPD spokesperson added that there were no injuries and the investigation remains ongoing.

A representative for Mamdani did not immediately return a request for comment.

Right-wing influencer Jake Lang walks with a goat and supporters at a protest organized by the influencer on Saturday in New York City.Ryan Murphy / Getty Images

Mamdani is New York City’s first Muslim mayor. The protest was held during the holy month of Ramadan, which is observed by Muslims around the world.

Lang could not be immediately reached for comment.

Images of the incident show smoke and what appears to be one of the devices.

View of what appears to be a device in front of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s official residence in New York on Saturday.Charly Triballeau / AFP – Getty Images

Lang, a right-wing provocateur who was pardoned for charges tied to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, has held similar rallies in recent weeks.

He also hosted an anti-immigration protest in Minneapolis in January, in the days after the killing of Renee Good. Good, 37, was fatally shot by a federal immigration officer, prompting national outrage. Ahead of the rally, Lang promised to burn a Quran at the site of the demonstration but did not appear to do so.