A 43-year-old U.S. Army veteran was arrested after igniting a fire outside a federal building in Lower Manhattan, with the FBI and NYPD confirming he carried weapons, fireworks, and anti-ICE slogans. The incident occurred at 8:20 a.m. Monday outside 26 Federal Plaza, a hub for agencies like the FBI and ICE.
Andrew Arrabaca, a former Army soldier from Poughkeepsie, New York, was tackled by federal agents after dousing a stairwell with gasoline and igniting it with fireworks, according to the FBI. The blaze, which sent smoke up the building’s facade, was quickly extinguished, but not before causing minor injuries to three people, including two government employees and a security officer, officials said.
A Man Armed With Fireworks, Axes, and a Slogan
Arrabaca was carrying two axes, a machete, three knives, and commercial-grade fireworks, according to FBI New York Assistant Director James Barnacle. He also had airsoft guns, carbon dioxide cartridges, and a helmet, as well as a small cart bearing the slogan ICE off our streets,
police sources said. The FBI described him as an anti-ICE activist
with a history of encounters with federal agents, though he had not been arrested prior to this incident.
CBS News reported that Arrabaca’s bag contained a manifesto, while ABC7 New York noted he was described by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as an anti-ICE rioter.
The suspect allegedly told authorities he was targeting the building and “was OK with” people getting hurt, Barnacle said. A video from the scene showed heavy smoke and law enforcement arresting Arrabaca, who had previously worked as a mechanic on Patriot missile systems, according to ABC7.
The Fire, the Response, and the Aftermath
The fire, which broke out around 8:20 a.m. Monday, was contained before reaching areas housing immigration courts or FBI and ICE offices, officials said. FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Barnacle described Arrabaca as armed with bad intentions,
adding he fired pellets from an airsoft gun into the air before dousing the building in flammable liquid. The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating the incident, with law enforcement seizing Arrabaca’s car and seeking a search warrant.
Our administration will continue to ensure that every New Yorker is safe in their city—and hold accountable any who threaten that,
he wrote on social media. Police warned of traffic delays and road closures near Worth Street and Lafayette Street, urging residents to avoid the area.
What the Sources Say About the Suspect’s Motives
The FBI and NYPD framed Arrabaca as an anti-ICE activist, but the exact nature of his grievances remains unclear. CBS News cited sources saying he had a history of emotionally disturbed
behavior, though no arrests were recorded. ABC7 New York noted he was believed to be a protester
with ties to anti-ICE activity, while sources stated he served from 2001 to 2005.
Richard Esposito, a CBS News law enforcement analyst, described the items Arrabaca carried as things you might use in paintball-type events,
suggesting his actions may have been intended to disrupt rather than kill. However, Barnacle stressed that Arrabaca’s “bad intentions” were clear, citing his explicit targeting of the building.
What’s Next for the Investigation
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is leading the probe. A search warrant for Arrabaca’s car is pending, and investigators are analyzing the manifesto found in his possession, according to CBS News. The NYPD has not yet filed formal charges, but the suspect remains in custody.
Sources: Cbsnews, ABC7 New York.
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