UPDATE: FBI Finds ‘Explosive Residue’ In Middletown During Terrorism Probe

UPDATED: 1:29 p.m., Tuesday:

The FBI New York Field Office issued a statement Tuesday afternoon on the search at Public Storage in Middletown Township:

“Yesterday’s search of the storage unit believed to be connected the Gracie Mansion incident revealed explosive residue. FBI Special Agent Bomb Technicians and the local bomb squads conducted a controlled detonation to ensure the safety of law enforcement and others in the area. We’re thankful for the assistance of the FBI Philadelphia Field Office and the local Middletown and Newton agencies who assisted our office throughout the night.”

The FBI statement appears to be referring to Newtown Township, not Newton.

Original Story:

FBI special agents conducted a series of controlled detonations Monday night at a Middletown Township storage facility.

An FBI spokesperson confirmed the explosions were tied to the case of the two local men accused of a foiled ISIS-inspired terror plot in New York City from over the weekend.

The blasts took place in pits dug by law enforcement at the Public Storage on South Flowers Mill Road late in the night, according to sources.

While the FBI has not released an inventory of the seized items, law enforcement sources said the materials included chemicals and other items deemed potentially too volatile to transport over long distances.

BREAKING NEWS: During a search warrant, FBI agents conducted a controlled detonation three times at Public Storage in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, on March 9, 2026. Loud booms were heard each time. FBI agents are combing through the storage facility in connection with the terrorist… pic.twitter.com/7VSQISwamR

— Kyle Mazza (@KyleMazzaWUNF) March 10, 2026

“The FBI safely disposed of explosive materials that were recovered during the execution of search warrants,” Middletown Township police said in a statement. “These controlled detonations were conducted by trained personnel and were carried out in a controlled manner.”

The three Earth-shaking explosions were felt across the area, rumbling homes from the Newtown Bypass to New Falls Road.

The noise startled some neighbors, but police stated there was no danger to the public.

The activity happened amid what the FBI New York Field Office told LevittownNow.com was a “court-authorized search” of a storage unit tied to the case.

The bulk of the activity took place Monday evening when FBI bomb technicians and evidence recovery teams arrived at the facility.

Access to the storage center was blocked by township police and federal agents starting Monday afternoon. An FBI official flashed his identification and warned arriving storage center customers of a potentially dangerous situation.

The search is part of the federal cases against Emir Balat, 18, a Neshaminy High School student from Langhorne, and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, of Newtown Township.

The two men were charged Monday by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York with several federal offenses, including use of a weapon of mass destruction and providing material support to ISIS.

According to court documents, Balat and Kayumi traveled from Pennsylvania to New York City last Saturday morning.

Law enforcement officials allege Balat and Kayumi’s intended target was an anti-Muslim protest scheduled near Gracie Mansion, the official residence of Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

The two brought IEDs and deployed them, but they failed to explode. A third possible device was located near the scene in New York City in a car linked to the defendants on Sunday, according to authorities.

One of the devices recovered by the NYPD contained triacetone triperoxide (TATP), which is known as the “Mother of Satan.” Authorities said TATP is a highly volatile explosive used in past international terrorist attacks.

After his arrest by the NYPD, Balat allegedly shouted, “This isn’t a religion that just stands when people talk about the blessed name of the prophet … We take action! We take action!”

Kayumi reportedly told police he was affiliated with ISIS, watched the group’s propaganda on his phone, and was “partly inspired” by the organization to carry out the failed attack.

Both men are being held in federal custody.

The FBI cleared out from Public Storage overnight.

On Sunday evening, FBI tactical teams executed search warrants at the Balat family home on Tina Drive in Middletown Township and the Kayumi family residence on Clymer Street in Newtown Township.

The FBI New York Joint Terrorism Task Force and the NYPD are continuing the investigation.

The FBI and NYPD are asking anyone with information relevant to the case to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.