A 43‑year‑old ex‑Army soldier ignited a blaze outside 26 Federal Plaza, home to the FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services offices in Manhattan. The incident drew national attention as it occurred on the morning of a key anti‑ICE protest.
The FBI says the suspect, Andrew Arrabaca of Poughkeepsie, shot a pellet gun and lit fireworks before pouring an accelerant onto the stairwell, which set the entrance ablaze. Federal agents moved him quickly; he was armed with a machete, three knives, a pair of axes and the fireworks kit.
Three people suffered minor injuries – one an immigrant present for a status hearing, and a security officer who tackled and detained Arrabaca. The New York City Fire Department quickly extinguished the fire.
In a press briefing, FBI New York Assistant Director James Barnacle described the suspect as an anti‑government, anti‑ICE extremist, adding that Arrabaca made several condemnatory statements during the incident.
The Department of Homeland Security echoed the FBI’s sentiment, calling him an “anti‑ICE rioter” and detailing the weapons he wielded.
Arrabaca served in the regular U.S. Army from 2001 to 2004 and in the Army National Guard‑New York in 2004–2005, eventually leaving with the rank of specialist and no deployments.
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned the episode as deeply disturbing, reaffirming the city’s commitment to safety and the accountability of those who threaten it. He added, “Our administration will continue to ensure that every New Yorker is safe in their city – and hold accountable any who threaten that.”
