Published Jul 20, 2026, 6:12 PM EDT
The FBI said the former soldier poured gasoline, lit it with a firework, and fired pellets at a building housing ICE. Three people were hurt.
Follow
Published Jul 20, 2026, 6:12 PM EDT
A former U.S. Army soldier accused of setting fire outside a Lower Manhattan federal building that houses immigration enforcement offices was arrested Monday in what the FBI is investigating as an anti-government attack. Andrew Arrabaca, 43, poured gasoline onto the ground outside 26 Federal Plaza and ignited it with a lighter and a large firework shortly after 8:20 a.m., FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Barnacle said at a news conference. Arrabaca then pulled out an airsoft rifle, a type of BB gun, and fired five to seven pellets toward the building, acording to Barnacle. A federal security officer tackled and detained him at the scene, authorities said. The building houses dozens of agencies, including the FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Three people—two government employees and one civilian— were injured, according to the FBI. Barnacle said the civilian was an immigrant who was at the building for a hearing in their immigration case. All were treated and released, officials said.
