A former US Army soldier has been taken into custody following an incident at a federal building in Lower Manhattan, New York City, where he is accused of igniting a fire and discharging a pellet gun. Andrew Arrabaca, 43, allegedly launched fireworks before pouring an accelerant on the stairs of an entrance to 26 Federal Plaza, a building housing offices for the FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and US Citizenship and Immigration Services.
According to the FBI, the incident occurred on a Monday morning, with Arrabaca reportedly firing approximately five to seven pellets from an airsoft gun towards the building. Federal agents intervened, tackling and detaining the suspect. James Barnacle, FBI New York Assistant Director, stated during a news conference that Arrabaca was heavily armed, possessing two axes, a machete, three knives, and fireworks. The fire department successfully extinguished the blaze.
Three individuals sustained minor injuries during the event. These included two government employees and an immigrant who was present at the building for a status hearing. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) identified one of the injured as a bystander who was grazed, and a security officer who sustained minor injuries while apprehending Arrabaca. The FBI confirmed that Arrabaca made 'anti-government and anti-ICE statements' throughout the incident, with Barnacle further describing him as an 'anti-American, anti-government extremist'.
Arrabaca, who is from Poughkeepsie, New York state, served in the regular US Army from 2001 to 2004 and subsequently in the Army National Guard-New York from 2004 to 2005. He reached the rank of specialist before leaving the Army, with no deployments during his service. The building at 26 Federal Plaza has previously been a focal point for protests concerning immigration policies.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani commented on the situation via social media, calling the incident 'deeply disturbing'. He affirmed his administration's commitment to ensuring the safety of all New Yorkers and holding accountable those who pose a threat to the city's security. Investigations into the full scope of the incident and Arrabaca's motivations are ongoing.