A former U.S. Army veteran was taken into custody on Monday after launching an attack using a homemade incendiary device at the federal building located at 26 Federal Plaza in Lower Manhattan. This building houses offices of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and an immigration court.
The suspect has been identified by the FBI as Andrew Arrabaca, 43, who served in the Army from 2001 to 2005 as a mechanic specializing in Patriot missile systems.
The incident unfolded around 8:40 a.m. when Arrabaca entered the building through an entrance reserved for staff on Worth Street. Once inside, he poured gasoline on the floor and ignited it using a lighter and a firecracker placed inside a container, causing a dramatic flare-up at the building's entrance.
Arrabaca then fired between five and seven pellets at the building's facade with an air gun before attempting to flee. Federal Protective Service agents, aided by an FBI agent, managed to subdue and arrest him on the spot.
The fire was swiftly controlled, preventing significant structural damage.
Weapons and Manifesto Discovered
During a press briefing, James Barnacle, the deputy assistant director of the FBI's New York office, reported that Arrabaca was carrying two axes, a machete, a hammer, three knives, an air gun, and two pellet guns, in addition to a manifesto that is currently being examined.
He also had a cart filled with anti-ICE pamphlets and a sign reading "ICE out of our streets." According to the FBI, he shouted insults against the immigration agency during his arrest.
In subsequent questioning, Arrabaca confessed that he intended to target the building and expressed indifference about potentially harming or killing anyone entering or leaving, whether federal employees or civilians.
The attack resulted in minor injuries to three individuals: an immigrant attending an immigration court hearing, a Federal Protective Service agent involved in the arrest, and a bystander struck by fireworks used in the attack.
One of the injured was taken to a hospital, though authorities stated that their injuries are not life-threatening.
Barnacle described the suspect as "an anti-American and anti-government extremist," emphasizing that the building has long been a target for radical groups. "26 Federal Plaza has been a focal point for extremists and terrorists for years, and today extremism has manifested here. The building has been attacked," he declared.
Potential Terrorism Investigation Underway
The case is now being handled by the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force in New York, which is investigating whether Arrabaca acted independently or had assistance from others.
Former FBI special agent Tim Gallagher explained to CBS News that the attacked building is the largest federal complex in the United States outside the Pentagon and is guarded by multiple security levels, including personnel from the New York Police Department, the Federal Protective Service, and the FBI's own police.
This attack occurs amid heightened tensions over the Trump administration's immigration policies. In September 2025, an ICE facility in Dallas was the site of another armed attack, resulting in at least one death and two injuries.
As of the latest update, federal authorities had not yet filed formal charges against Arrabaca or disclosed whether he had legal representation.
Key Details on the New York Federal Building Attack
Who was the perpetrator of the attack on the New York federal building?
The attacker was Andrew Arrabaca, a 43-year-old former U.S. Army veteran.
What weapons were found with the suspect?
Authorities found two axes, a machete, a hammer, three knives, an air gun, and two pellet guns with Arrabaca, as well as a manifesto.
What was the outcome of the attack?
The attack resulted in minor injuries to three people, and the fire was quickly extinguished without causing major damage.