A former U.S. Army soldier started fire outside a NYC federal building and fired a pellet gun, FBI says
Authorities have taken a suspect into custody following an incident Monday morning at 26 Federal Plaza in lower Manhattan. Andrew Arrabaca, a 43-year-old former U.S. Army soldier who previously worked on Patriot missile systems, is accused of setting a fire at the building entrance and firing pellets toward the structure. Law enforcement officials state he arrived with various weapons including knives, a hammer, and a machete.
Video footage from the scene shows security personnel tackling the suspect as flames rose on the building stairs. The site, which houses both federal offices and an immigration court, has frequently served as a location for protests regarding immigration policy. Preliminary reports indicate the suspect carried anti-ICE materials and displayed intent to cause harm to government infrastructure.
One bystander was grazed by fireworks during the incident, and a security officer sustained minor injuries while securing the scene. The individual in custody is currently being held for questioning by the FBI. Investigations remain ongoing as federal agents examine the motivations behind the attack.
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani addressed the situation on social media, noting that while the event is disturbing, there are no life-threatening injuries reported. The FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force is now managing the case, and local police continue to assist with the gathering of evidence.