Key facts
- Andrew Arrabaca, 43, a former Army soldier, was charged with arson.
- The attack targeted a federal building in Manhattan that houses immigration court proceedings.
- Arrabaca allegedly set a fire, used fireworks, and fired a pellet gun.
- Three individuals sustained injuries during the incident.
- Arrabaca made anti-government statements and expressed indifference to causing fatalities.
An arson charge has been filed against Andrew Arrabaca, a 43-year-old former Army soldier, for an attack on a federal building in Manhattan that houses immigration court proceedings. The incident, which occurred at 26 Federal Plaza, involved Arrabaca setting a sidewalk fire, igniting fireworks, and firing a pellet gun. The attack resulted in injuries to three people before security officers subdued him.
During his arrest, Arrabaca, who previously served in the Army from 2001 to 2005 repairing Patriot missile systems, reportedly made anti-government and anti-American statements. He also expressed indifference to whether he killed people. The building has been a site of protests against President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. Authorities stated that Arrabaca was wearing a military-style helmet and used a cart with a sign reading “ICE Off Our Streets” prior to igniting the fireworks and gasoline. He was apprehended by Federal Protective Service officers and a security contractor. The FBI is investigating the incident but has not labeled it as terrorism.