Anti-ICE Veteran Faces Charges After Incendiary Attack on Manhattan Federal Complex
Monday Morning Assault at 26 Federal Plaza
Sandego.net – On a warm Monday morning in Lower Manhattan, visitors gradually made their way into the Jacob K. Javits Federal Office Building while New York’s streets remained comparatively peaceful. The tranquility shattered moments before nine o’clock when Andrew Arrabaca, a forty-three-year-old former soldier, set events in motion. According to authorities, Arrabaca arrived with clear hostile intentions and immediately began his assault on the federal facility.
Standing before Manhattan’s prominent 26 Federal Plaza, Arrabaca poured gasoline from a bucket across the pavement near an employee entrance. He then ignited the fuel using both a lighter and what officials described as a “large firework in a canister.” The resulting blaze drew attention as the veteran continued his attack on the government building.
Officials noted that a sign reading “ICE off our streets” was attached to a cart containing Arrabaca’s arsenal of weapons and incendiary materials. The cart carried six incendiary devices along with various other destructive implements. This federal structure stands as the nation’s tallest government building, accommodating numerous agencies including the FBI and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, alongside thousands of federal workers.
Weapons and Continued Assault
After establishing the initial fire, Arrabaca retrieved an airsoft rifle from his cart. This recreational weapon, which resembles a firearm but launches less lethal projectiles instead of bullets, became another tool in his attack. Officials reported that he discharged five to seven pellets from the device toward the building.
Authorities revealed that Arrabaca carried an impressive collection of weapons beyond the airsoft rifle. His arsenal included two axes, a hammer, a machete, and three knives. Law enforcement stated that he was specifically “targeting” 26 Federal Plaza during his assault.
The attack resulted in injuries to three individuals. One civilian and two federal employees sustained harm during the incident. James Barnacle, the assistant director overseeing the FBI New York Field Office, addressed reporters at a news conference on Monday afternoon regarding the casualties.
“He was OK if he hurt or killed people going in and out of the building, whether they were federal employees or civilians,” Barnacle stated during his remarks.
Historical Context and Immigration Enforcement Hub
Located adjacent to Foley Square, 26 Federal Plaza has emerged as the central location for immigration enforcement operations throughout New York City. The building has frequently served as a flashpoint where immigration officials and demonstrators clash during protests and incidents.
During the previous year, migrants were repeatedly detained at the facility while attempting to reach their immigration court hearings. Local Democratic leaders, including New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, have been arrested at 26 Federal Plaza while demonstrating against immigration policies. Additionally, law enforcement officials reported that more than a dozen demonstrators were apprehended nearby in the fall after trying to prevent federal agents from carrying out immigration and enforcement activities.
Social media footage captured dramatic scenes outside the building. The videos showed flames rising beyond the structure and someone throwing objects into the fire, causing what appeared to be fireworks to detonate. Another individual was seen extinguishing the blaze in the footage. Separate recordings revealed law enforcement officers emerging from a thick cloud of smoke outside the building.
Timeline and Investigation Details
Arrabaca’s military service spanned from 2001 to 2005, during which he functioned as either a repairman or mechanic working on Patriot missile systems, according to Barnacle. When officers arrested him, he was shouting “derogatory terms to ICE,” officials confirmed.
In an ironic twist, Barnacle noted that the civilian injured during the attack was an immigrant who had an immigration hearing scheduled for Monday. A naturalization ceremony that was planned for the same day was also called off as a result of the incident.
Investigators have located what they believe to be Arrabaca’s vehicle and are pursuing a warrant to examine it thoroughly. Barnacle explained that Arrabaca apparently rode the subway to Penn Station on Sunday night, spent the night near the Holland Tunnel, and then reached the attack location around five o’clock in the morning.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed that the entire incident was recorded by a New York Police Department camera. The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is currently leading the investigation into the attack. Additionally, the NYPD bomb squad was summoned to examine the fireworks and other items found in the cart.
Legal Proceedings and Character Assessment
Arrabaca remains in custody and is cooperating with law enforcement after being informed of his Miranda rights. Officials indicated that formal charges have not yet been filed in either state or federal court. CNN is actively working to identify legal representation for Arrabaca.
According to Barnacle, the Army veteran has had previous encounters with law enforcement, though none approached the severity of Monday’s attack. The FBI assistant director provided a clear characterization of Arrabaca’s motivations and beliefs.
“Obviously, he is an anti-American, anti-government extremist,” Barnacle declared. “We know that from what he has said post-arrest, and we know that from”
The timing of Monday’s attack proved particularly significant, occurring as two individuals were killed during ICE agent stops in Maine and Texas over recent weeks. These deaths intensified tensions surrounding President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda, which continues to unfold prominently before the American public.
The building also houses an immigration court and a holding facility where jailed migrants have complained about conditions, describing the space as “dirty, smelly and overcrowded.” This combination of judicial and detention functions makes 26 Federal Plaza a critical node in the nation’s immigration enforcement infrastructure.
As the investigation progresses, authorities continue to piece together Arrabaca’s movements, motivations, and the full extent of his preparations before arriving at the federal complex. The incident has renewed scrutiny of security measures at federal buildings across New York City, particularly those serving as immigration enforcement centers.
