Andrew Arrabaca, a 43-year-old former US Army soldier, allegedly set fire and deployed fireworks on the stairs of 26 Federal Plaza in Lower Manhattan on the morning of July 20, 2026. The federal building houses the FBI, ICE, immigration courts, and other agencies [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7].

Arrabaca poured an accelerant believed to be gasoline and ignited it, starting a fire that the New York City Fire Department quickly extinguished. He also fired about five to seven pellets from an airsoft rifle toward the building while wielding two axes, a machete, three knives, a hammer, two airsoft rifles, and additional fireworks [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7].

Three people suffered minor injuries. They included two federal employees and one immigrant civilian attending a hearing. Injuries ranged from grazes by pellets to a security officer who tackled Arrabaca [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].

Federal agents and NYPD officers arrested Arrabaca around 8:30 a.m. Monday near the scene. He was taken into custody without further incident [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 7].

The FBI New York Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating the incident as an anti-government and anti-ICE extremist attack. Arrabaca reportedly made anti-government statements during the attack and said he was willing to hurt or kill people entering or leaving the building. FBI Assistant Director James Barnacle called him "an anti-American, anti-government extremist" and said Arrabaca "came armed with bad intentions" to a site long targeted by extremists [1, 4, 5, 8, 7].

Arrabaca served in the US Army from 2001 to 2005 as a mechanic on Patriot missile systems, leaving with the rank of specialist [1, 5, 7].

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani described the incident as "deeply disturbing" and vowed accountability, saying, "Our administration will continue to ensure that every New Yorker is safe in their city - and hold accountable any who threaten that" [1, 4, 5].

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries thanked law enforcement for their swift response, stating, "Acts of terror and violence have no place in our city and will never be tolerated" [2].

Arrabaca appeared in Manhattan federal court on July 21 facing arson charges but did not enter a plea [7].

The building at 26 Federal Plaza has been the focus of protests against ICE and immigration policies in recent weeks and months [1, 2, 5, 7].