Overview
- Federal security officers detained a man after he poured a flammable liquid, ignited commercial fireworks and created a fire outside 26 Federal Plaza on Monday, producing heavy smoke that was quickly extinguished by FDNY.
- Officials and multiple outlets identified the suspect as 43‑year‑old Andrew Arrabaca, a former U.S. Army servicemember who was taken into custody at the scene and is now being questioned by investigators.
- Law enforcement seized a cart bearing anti‑ICE material, commercial fireworks, a bag that reportedly contained two pellet/airsoft guns and a manifesto, plus edged tools and other weapons that officials say the suspect carried.
- Three people suffered only minor injuries; one person was transported to hospital with non‑life‑threatening wounds and the building was placed on a temporary shelter‑in‑place while the NYPD bomb squad examined items.
- The FBI JTTF is leading a terrorism probe and conducting forensic and background searches; the episode has raised fresh security and political concerns because 26 Federal Plaza houses ICE, immigration courts and other federal agencies.