Officials responded to a fire near 26 Federal Plaza between Worth and Lafayette Streets at around 8:30 a.m., according to the FDNY. Authorities earlier said the fire appeared to have been started by fireworks, which were loaded into a wagon bearing a sign that read “ICE off our streets.”
Video of the incident that began circulating later in the day appeared to show a person dumping a flammable liquid outside the building before setting it ablaze.
Federal officers later apprehended the suspect outside the immigration building, as seen in video from the scene.
At a press conference on Monday afternoon, officials identified the suspect as Andrew Arrabaca, a former U.S. Army soldier who served from 2001 to 2005. Arrabaca, 43, allegedly dumped gasoline near an employee entrance to the building before setting it alight using a lighter and an “incendiary device” revealed to be a firework.
He then fired an Airsoft rifle “in the direction” of the building while fleeing, according to officials.
Arrabaca was also said to have been in possession of two axes, several knives, a hammer, a machete, and six total incendiary devices, though it was unclear if all those items were on his person or in his car, which was seized by law enforcement.
“This morning, an individual deployed an incendiary device outside of 26 Federal Plaza. The individual has been taken into custody, and the FBI New York Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating the incident,” the FBI stated on Monday morning.
Two people were taken to the hospital for treatment, and one person suffered minor injuries and refused medical attention at the scene, according to the FDNY.
An investigation into the incident is ongoing.
“What occurred outside 26 Federal Plaza this morning was deeply disturbing. I’m relieved no one was seriously injured and that a suspect is in custody,” Mayor Zohran Mamdani posted on X. “My team is in touch with the NYPD and we will support the federal investigation. Our administration will continue to ensure that every New Yorker is safe in their city — and hold accountable any who threaten that.”
