Three injured after man allegedly sets fire outside Manhattan federal building housing immigration court
A former US Army soldier allegedly ignited petrol and fired an airsoft rifle outside a federal office building housing an immigration court in Lower Manhattan, injuring three people before being arrested. The FBI described the incident as a targeted anti-government extremist attack.
- Three people sustained minor injuries during the alleged attack outside 26 Federal Plaza.
- The FBI said the suspect admitted targeting the federal building and accepted potential casualties.
- Investigators are examining recovered weapons, incendiary devices and the suspect's vehicle.
A man allegedly ignited gasoline and fired an airsoft rifle outside a federal office building in Lower Manhattan that houses an immigration court on Monday, 20 July, injuring three people before being taken into custody in what the FBI described as a targeted attack by an anti-government extremist.
The suspect, identified as Andrew Arrabaca, 43, allegedly poured petrol onto the ground outside an employee entrance at 26 Federal Plaza shortly before 9 a.m. local time and ignited it using a lighter and a large firework contained in a canister, according to the FBI.
Authorities said he then fired five to seven pellets from an airsoft rifle towards the building.
Suspect allegedly targeted federal building
FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Barnacle said Arrabaca admitted after his arrest that he had been targeting the building.
"After Arrabaca's arrest he did say he was targeting the building and he was OK if he hurt or killed people going in and out of the building, whether they were federal employees or civilians," Barnacle said.
Barnacle described Arrabaca as an anti-American, anti-government extremist based on his actions and statements following the arrest.
Authorities said Arrabaca, a former U.S. Army soldier who served from 2001 to 2005 as a mechanic on Patriot missile systems, arrived carrying two axes, a hammer, a machete, three knives and six incendiary devices, along with other destructive items.
"He came armed with bad intentions," Barnacle said.
Officials said Arrabaca was also pushing a cart displaying a sign reading "ICE Off Our Streets" and containing anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) literature. Barnacle said Arrabaca shouted derogatory remarks towards ICE while being arrested.
Three people suffer minor injuries
Two federal employees and one civilian sustained minor injuries during the incident, authorities said.
Barnacle said the civilian was an immigrant attending an immigration hearing at the building.
The Jacob K. Javits Federal Office Building at 26 Federal Plaza houses numerous federal agencies, including the FBI and ICE, as well as an immigration court and a migrant holding facility.
According to CNN, the naturalisation ceremony scheduled at the building on Monday was cancelled following the attack.
Video circulating on social media showed flames outside the building before someone appeared to throw an object into the fire, triggering what appeared to be fireworks. Separate footage showed law enforcement officers emerging through heavy smoke outside the building.
Authorities said the entire incident was captured by a New York Police Department camera.
Site has been focal point for immigration protests
Barnacle said 26 Federal Plaza had long been a target of extremists.
Located beside Foley Square, the building has become a focal point for immigration enforcement and protests in New York City.
Migrants were repeatedly arrested there last year while attempting to attend immigration court hearings. Local Democratic officials, including New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, have also been arrested at the site while protesting immigration policies.
In the autumn, more than a dozen demonstrators were arrested nearby after attempting to stop federal agents from carrying out immigration enforcement activities.
The incident came after two people were killed during encounters involving ICE agents in Maine and Texas in recent weeks, heightening tensions as President Donald Trump's immigration agenda continued.
Investigation ongoing
Authorities said Arrabaca remained in custody after being advised of his Miranda rights and interviewed by investigators.
Barnacle said investigators believed Arrabaca travelled by subway to Penn Station on Sunday night, stayed near the Holland Tunnel overnight and arrived near the attack site at around 5 a.m. on Monday.
Authorities have located what they believe is Arrabaca's vehicle and are seeking a warrant to search it.
The FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force is leading the investigation, while the New York Police Department's bomb squad examined fireworks and other items recovered from the suspect's cart.
Officials said no state or federal charges had yet been filed because the incident occurred on federal property.
Barnacle said Arrabaca had previous interactions with law enforcement but nothing comparable to Monday's attack.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani described the incident as "deeply disturbing."
"I'm relieved no one was seriously injured and that a suspect is in custody," Mamdani wrote on social media. "... Our administration will continue to ensure that every New Yorker is safe in their city -- and hold accountable any who threaten that."
