Watch: Hero NYPD Chief Who Helped Thwart NYC Terror Attack Speaks
On Tuesday, RedState’s Bob Hoge brought you the story of how New York City Police Department (NYPD) Chief Aaron Edwards shot and killed one of the suspects in Saturday’s attempted New York City terrorist attack.
In a photo that has since gone viral, Edwards was seen jumping over a barricade with his gaze fixed on Emir Balat, 18, one of two adult Muslim teenagers who Justice Department Attorney General Pam Bondi said attempted to carry out an “ISIS-inspired terrorist attack” – using IEDs – against those protesting the city’s mayor, Zohran Mamdani, near Gracie Mansion, the official residence of the mayor.
Some heroes wear capes – leader Aaron Edwards wears blue. pic.twitter.com/wYvDfSbxgM
– NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) March 10, 2026
Balat was overpowered by Edwards, who tackled him to the ground after at least one IED had already been thrown into the crowd.
LEARN MORE: “Some heroes wear capes – Chief Aaron Edwards wears blue”: Epic NYPD meme salutes Gracie Mansion cops
Edwards is hailed as a national hero, as is his colleague, Sgt. Luis Navarro, who, as Bob also reported, “reacted instantly, as Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch noted during a press conference Monday. As the attack unfolded, Navarro sprinted toward a second smoking IED after it was allegedly dropped by Balat and ignored his own safety to protect bystanders.”
Edwards, who stands proudly alongside Navarro, spoke to the press on Wednesday in response to all the applause they received and, unsurprisingly, he was humble and made us proud of him once again:
“It was just an instinct. I’m trying to catch the bad guy.”
New York Police Chief Aaron Edwards, who was hailed a hero for jumping over a barricade and chasing down suspects in Saturday’s Gracie Mansion bombing, says he doesn’t want this viral photo to be about him: “I want it to be about the day.” I want it to be about what we did. There will be no obstacles. Nothing will stop us from protecting New Yorkers.”
Watch:
“It was just an instinct. I’m trying to catch the bad guy.”
New York Police Chief Aaron Edwards, who was hailed a hero for jumping over a barricade and chasing down suspects in Saturday’s Gracie Mansion bombing, says he doesn’t want this viral image to be about him: “I want it to be… pic.twitter.com/tdcATu912v
– CBS News (@CBSNews) March 11, 2026
More:
The New York police chief who jumped over a barricade after two men who authorities say were inspired by ISIS says “instinct kicked in.” “I’m glad I got over that barricade,” he said, smiling. “Imagine if I fell.” “Nothing will stop us from protecting New Yorkers,” he said.
Watch:
The New York police chief who jumped over a barricade after two men who authorities say were inspired by ISIS says “instinct kicked in.”
“I’m glad I got over that barricade,” he said, smiling. “Imagine if I fell.” “Nothing will stop us from protecting New Yorkers,” he said. pic.twitter.com/ev4nhwC4m0–Anna Schecter (@annaschecter) March 11, 2026
Navarro also spoke out, stating that he knew lives needed to be saved from the attack:
“I saw the plane hit the ground…I knew I had to save lives. So I ran to people to make sure no one got hurt.”
New York Police Sgt. Luis Navarro and Chief Aaron Edwards share their experience after arresting 2 suspects accused of throwing bombs during… pic.twitter.com/DNLdfhu3HA
-Linda Schmidt (@LSchmidtFox5) March 11, 2026
These guys are constantly treated like trash by their city’s Democratic “leaders”, including Mamdani, who, before being elected mayor, repeatedly demanded that the police be defunded as a New York congressman, calling the department a “major threat to public safety” and its dismantling.
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This tweet from July contains numerous examples of Mamdani’s hatred of law enforcement:
Muslim socialist candidate for New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani says he is “grateful” for the NYPD details that protect him.
The same police he called repeatedly to defund.
Police protection for me but not for you. pic.twitter.com/AwoR4RZ2X6
– TikTok Libs (@libsoftiktok) July 30, 2025
This is one of the most notorious cases:
Is that you? pic.twitter.com/zZO1O7LPpx
– Dustin Grage (@GrageDustin) July 29, 2025
Most recently, he refused to condemn a snowball attack on police officers that sent several to the hospital for treatment for facial lacerations.
Naturally, people often wonder why police officers remain in the face of so much hostility and contempt, not only from Mamdani, but also from the city’s Defund the Police types, whom his anti-police rhetoric has emboldened.
But these officers aren’t doing what they’re doing for Mamdani: they’re doing it for the city and the people they love, to try to make it a better place for future generations. You can’t blame them for that.
New York Police Chief Aaron Edwards and Sergeant Luis Navarro rush toward suspects during the incident in which IEDs were thrown into a crowd.
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd…”
John 10:11Thank you servants. #Hero pic.twitter.com/MfJcv8tZvo
–Todd Baxter (@Sheriff_Baxter) March 11, 2026
Mad respect for the men and women in blue, not just in New York but across the country. God bless you.
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