NYPD chief Aaron Edwards hailed for leaping barricade to chase down Gracie Mansion bombing suspects

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: A photo of a hero New York City police chief vaulting over a barricade has turned into a social media sensation. However, the man in the picture insists it was just another moment on the job.

Aaron Edwards, a 46-year-old assistant chief with the New York City Police Department, drew praise after he was photographed mid-leap while chasing a suspect accused of tossing an explosive device near the mayor’s residence at Gracie Mansion.

Police say the quick reaction helped officers track down and detain two teenage suspects, Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, and Emir Balat, 18, after chaos erupted during a protest outside the mansion on Saturday, March 7. 

Aaron Edwards reacts to viral incident, says 'it was just instinct'

The incident unfolded when the two teens allegedly hurled homemade explosive devices toward a group of right-wing activists led by Jake Lang, who had gathered outside New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's official residence for an anti-Islam protest. The activists soon found themselves clashing with roughly 125 counter-protesters nearby.

According to police, Edwards sprang into action as officers moved to contain the situation. A black-and-white image captured the moment he hurdled a barrier while chasing one of the suspects.

The department later posted the shot online with the caption, “Some heroes wear capes - Chief Aaron Edwards wears blue.” It went viral in no time.

But Edwards seemed more amused than impressed. “I’m glad I cleared that barrier,” he quipped on Wednesday. “Imagine if I fell. But to me, it was just instinct,” he added. “I'm trying to get the bad guy, you know, I was in... real pursuit trying to get him.”

Authorities say Edwards eventually caught up with Balat, a Pennsylvania resident accused of throwing a homemade explosive known as a “Mother of Satan” bomb outside the mayor’s home.

Investigators later revealed that the device could have caused a “significant explosion.”

Suspects allegedly tied the bombing to ISIS

Federal prosecutors say the teens expressed support for the militant group Islamic State. Balat allegedly told authorities he had pledged allegiance to the group, while Kayumi reportedly said he was affiliated with ISIS, according to the criminal indictment.

As officers took him into custody, Kayumi allegedly shouted that “ISIS” was behind the attack.

Later, while speaking with investigators in NYPD custody, he reportedly declared, “All praise is due to Allah lord of all worlds! I pledge my allegience [sic] to the Islamic State. Die in your rage yu [sic] kuffar!” He added, “This isn't a religion that just stands when people talk about the blessed name of the prophet... We take action!”

Investigators also questioned Balat about whether the pair had hoped to replicate the devastation of the Boston Marathon bombing, when two pressure-cooker bombs detonated near the finish line in 2013, killing three people and injuring hundreds.

“No, even bigger,” Balat allegedly said, according to the complaint, while noting that the Boston attack caused only “three deaths.”

Both teenagers now face a string of serious federal charges, including attempting to provide material support to ISIS, use of a weapon of mass destruction, transportation of explosive materials, interstate transportation and receipt of explosives, and unlawful possession of destructive devices.

Social media cheers Aaron Edwards on

Spectators noted Edwards' modest reaction to the sudden fame, and the viral image of him mid-chase drew an outpouring of praise on social media.

"Can we just make him the mayor?" one asked.

"That guy is awesome. That's exactly the type of thing you want to hear from a cop," another wrote. 

"There's someone who still believes in duty. Good man," one more comment read. 

"Love it! Great perspective and love that he is so humble!!!" someone else added.

"Moviemakers will be recreating this moment, this scene, for decades and perhaps even centuries to come," another gushed.

Regardless, Edwards hopes the moment carries something bigger than a single photograph.

“I want it to be about the day, I want it to be about what we did,” he said. “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 gonna be relentless in pursuing justice. And there's gonna be no obstacles, nothing's going to stand in our way from protecting New Yorkers.”

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.