Gracie Mansion hero officers speak out after stopping men accused of trying to set off bombs
UPPER EAST SIDE, Manhattan (WABC) -- Two members of the NYPD are being hailed as heroes for the efforts in chasing down the two people accused of trying to set off bombs near the mayor's home, Gracie Mansion, during protests over the weekend.
NYPD Assistant Chief Aaron Edwards and Sgt. Luis Navarro spoke to Eyewitness News at police headquarters about the harrowing moments that unfolded, and their quick actions to try and save lives.
"We knew that the two groups would maybe go at each other a little bit, but I don't think anyone could have expected this," Edwards said.
Chief Edwards and Sgt. Navarro say there was no time to think. Demonstrators and counterdemonstrators were facing off outside Gracie Mansion. Suddenly, one man lit a fuse and dropped a smoking canister on the sidewalk.
"There was a real threat. There was a real danger there," Edwards said.
In an instant, the chief jumped the metal barrier and he and the sergeant chased the suspect and warned the crowd.
"I saw the device hit the floor, and I just ran," Navarro said. "I knew that I needed to save lives. So, I ran towards the people to make sure that nobody got hurt."
Nobody was injured. Two canisters were thrown at the crowd. Both were packed with high explosives that did not detonate.
Police arrested 19-year-old Ibrahim Kayumi and 18-year-old Emir Balat. Both allegedly told detectives they were inspired to attack anti-Muslim demonstrators on behalf of the Islamic State.
Within hours, images of the chief hurtling the three-and-a-half-foot barrier were flashed around the world.
The NYPD posted on Instagram saying, "Some heroes wear capes. Chief Aaron Edwards wears blue."
The comments poured in: "Give this man a medal and make this a recruitment ad," "This shot is iconic. Just wow. What a hero," and "I hear the theme to 'The Avengers' when I see this photo."
"First off, I'm happy that I cleared that barrier. I don't want that picture to be about me. I want it to be about the day. I want it to be about what we did," Edwards said. "You know, I want that picture to be a reminder to New Yorkers that, you know, your cops, the members of the NYPD, you know, we're going to be relentless in pursuing justice, right? And there's going to be no obstacles. Nothing's going to stand in our way from protecting New Yorkers."
"We spent six months in the academy. We've done countless of trainings. We've done counter-terrorism trainings. We've done active shooter trainings. Everything that I've learned in my whole career culminated in that one moment," Navarro said.
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