Authorities have arrested a former U.S. Army soldier suspected of setting off an incendiary device outside a federal building in Manhattan, New York City. Andrew Arrabaca, 43, was taken into custody on July 20 after igniting a flammable liquid and fireworks near 26 Federal Plaza, a building housing field offices of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the FBI.

According to officials, the incident occurred shortly after 8:30 a.m. Arrabaca reportedly fired an airsoft rifle at the building before pouring gasoline between two sets of bushes and igniting a fire. The attack resulted in injuries to two government employees and one civilian immigrant who had a scheduled hearing that day. Authorities have not yet filed formal charges against Arrabaca.

James Barnacle, assistant director in charge of the FBI, described Arrabaca as an “anti-government extremist” and said he came to the federal building equipped with six incendiary devices or fireworks, as well as a hammer, machete, three knives, and an airsoft rifle. Barnacle also noted that Arrabaca was pushing a cart with literature opposing ICE and was wearing a military-style helmet and a sign reading “ICE off our streets” when apprehended.

New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch cited eyewitness accounts describing the sequence of events, noting that the suspect took the subway from his last known address in Harlem to Penn Station on the evening of July 19. He then stayed near the Holland Tunnel overnight before proceeding to 26 Federal Plaza early the following morning.

The attack was captured by an NYPD surveillance camera and by bystanders who posted footage on social media showing smoke rising from the site and officers tackling Arrabaca to the ground. Law enforcement also recovered his vehicle, two airsoft rifles, and the container of flammable liquid.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani expressed relief that no one was seriously hurt and noted that the suspect was in custody. The FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force is leading the ongoing investigation. Established in 1980, this multi-agency group includes both FBI special agents and NYPD detectives working to address terrorism threats in the New York City metropolitan area and beyond.

Barnacle stated that Arrabaca had served in the U.S. Army from 2001 to 2005, specializing as a repairman on Patriot missile systems. He added that while Arrabaca had “a couple of encounters with law enforcement” in the past, none had reached the severity of this incident. Following his arrest, Arrabaca reportedly admitted to targeting the federal building with the intent to cause harm.