The incident took place outside 26 Federal Plaza in Lower Manhattan, a building housing offices for the FBI, ICE, and Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Here are the key details of what happened:
What Took Place
- The Suspect: Andrew Arrabaca, a 43-year-old U.S. Army veteran from Poughkeepsie living in Harlem.
- The Attack: Arrabaca pulled up to the building pushing a wagon full of supplies. He ignited a large fireworks launcher that shot off dozens of rockets, fired pellets from an airsoft/pellet rifle toward the entrance, dumped gasoline, and lit a fire on the steps outside the building.
- Weapons Recovered: In addition to the fireworks and gasoline, law enforcement found two axes, a machete, three knives, a hammer, and a mallet in his possession.
- Injuries: Three people sustained minor injuries—including two security contractors and a civilian who was attending an immigration hearing.
Motive & Investigation
- Anti-ICE/Anti-Government Motive: Arrabaca had a sign on his wagon reading "ICE off our streets" and uttered anti-government and anti-ICE statements during his arrest. Prosecutors stated he confessed to aiming to cause destruction to the building over anti-government beliefs.
- Mental Health & Charges: Federal prosecutors charged him with arson. During his court appearance, defense attorneys noted he has a history of mental health conditions and had stopped taking prescribed medication. The judge ordered a psychiatric evaluation.
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