Investigation into Loud Explosions in Bucks County Linked to Recent Terror Arrests
BUCKS COUNTY, Pa. — Over an unsettling span of ten months, residents in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, reported eight loud explosions. These incidents occurred near the homes of two men later linked to a terror plot in New York City, allegedly inspired by ISIS, which has left locals puzzled.
Police Sergeant Glenn Vandegrift from Bensalem confirmed to a news outlet that between April 2025 and early January 2026, eight complaints were filed regarding what residents described as “loud bangs.”
“After our investigation, detectives decided to close the case because we couldn’t determine the source of the noise or confirm it was even within Bensalem,” Vandegrift noted.
He added that no injuries were reported from these incidents, nor was there any indication of a threat to public safety.
Rick D’Aguano, a local resident, shared his thoughts, noting that the explosions were jarring and seemed to emanate from various directions. “It was just loud… random explosions at odd times,” he remarked. He speculated that it could’ve been fireworks or other explosives. Rumors around town suggested that the individual responsible had been identified, yet police report no arrests have been made concerning these noises.
This week, the issue gained attention again after 18-year-old Emile Barratt from Langhorne and 19-year-old Ibrahim Qayumi from Newtown were arrested in New York City. They are accused of throwing live explosives during a protest outside Mayor Zoran Mamdani’s residence.
“My home is just about five miles from Barratt’s place and 25 miles from Qayumi’s,” D’Aguano said, highlighting the proximity of the suspects. The overlap in locations stirred a renewed interest among residents.
However, Vandegrift emphasized, “There’s currently no evidence linking the recent arrests in New York to any of the previously reported explosions in Bensalem.” He mentioned that while many might be eager to connect the dots between the New York incidents and local complaints, so far, their investigation has found nothing to substantiate that theory.
Vandegrift also confirmed that no arrests have been linked to the explosions in Bensalem. He will review the case and take action should new, credible information surface, especially if it ties into ongoing investigations in New York.
For anyone with pertinent information regarding the explosions, Bensalem County Police encourage you to reach out. Federal authorities have already taken steps regarding the charges against Barratt and Qayumi. Court documents reveal the men allegedly used devices containing triacetone triperoxide (TATP), secured with duct tape and various hardware.
As the day of the alleged attack approached—around 12:15 p.m.—a license plate reader had detected the two men entering New York City from New Jersey. Meanwhile, Qayumi’s mother reported last seeing him around 10:30 a.m. Saturday prior to filing a missing person’s report.
