The FBI on July 20 identified the man who is accused of setting off an incendiary device outside a federal building in the Manhattan borough of New York City as a former U.S. Army soldier.
Andrew Arrabaca, 43, was enlisted from 2001 to 2004 and was a repairman on Patriot missile systems, said James Barnacle, the assistant director in charge of the FBI New York Field Office, at a news conference. Arrabaca is currently in custody.
The FBI did not provide a motive for the incident or what charges Arrabaca would face.
“He is an anti-American, anti-government extremist,” Barnacle said.
He also said that Arrabaca shouted profanities against ICE.
Barnacle said Arrabaca allegedly “came armed with bad intentions” before the incident unfolded and “was looking to injure people and harm people.”
“He had two axes, a hammer, a machete, and three knives, fixed blade knives,” he also said. “He had, as I said earlier, six incendiary devices or fireworks. And he had some other destructive items.”
Arrabaca is accused of pouring gasoline toward a federal employee at the building before he used a lighter to ignite it and the device, which was described as fireworks, the FBI said. He also pulled out an airsoft rifle and fired pellets at the federal building, Barnacle said.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani commented on the incident in a post on X, saying: “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.”
“My team is in touch with the NYPD and we will support the federal investigation,” he said. “Our administration will continue to ensure that every New Yorker is safe in their city—and hold accountable any who threaten that.”
Video footage of the incident that was uploaded online showed a man approach the building and pour gasoline onto the ground before it ignited. Moments later, what appeared to be fireworks also appeared to ignite.
The FBI located his vehicle, and FBI agents are conducting interviews and working to procure a search warrant, Barnacle said during the news conference.
The Department of Homeland Security described Arrabaca in a statement released on X as “an anti-ICE rioter,” and it said he launched fireworks at the federal building.
He was tackled by a security officer, and a bag allegedly belonging to the suspect was recovered, which contained two pellet guns and a manifesto, the agency said.
In recent months, the Department of Homeland Security has said that assaults and threats against ICE agents and offices have surged. The agency reported a 1,300 percent increase in assaults against ICE officers.
Last year, a man armed with a rifle opened fire at an ICE office in Dallas, killing an illegal immigrant who was detained by the agency. The suspect in that shooting died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities said at the time.
