Army Veteran Accused of Starting Fire at ICE Office in New York
ONP Summary
A man with a record of opposing immigration enforcement activities was arrested after a device exploded at a Manhattan federal building early Monday. The detonation occurred at 26 Federal Plaza, which houses FBI and ICE offices, with emergency responders encountering smoke at the scene.
Progressive:Anti-immigration activism — Progressive outlets emphasized the suspect's anti-ICE activism history, framing the incident as political protest against immigration enforcement.
Conservative:Federal compound attack — Conservative outlets characterized the detonation at a federal building housing FBI and ICE as a security threat.
Former U.S. Army soldier Andrew Arrabaca is in custody after reportedly setting off fireworks and starting a fire outside of a New York federal building on Monday morning. He is said to have had anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement material and two pellet guns on his person.
In the incident, captured on video, a suspect poured gasoline all over a set of stairs outside 26 Federal Plaza, which houses dozens of agencies, including ICE. The suspect ran away as a large plume of flame appeared. He was quickly detained by multiple NYPD officers. One policeman and a bystander sustained minor injuries.
A video shows the moment a suspect started a fire outside of 26 Federal Plaza in Lower Manhattan, where a federal immigration court is located. More: https://t.co/Qgi8dXyKUq pic.twitter.com/ZOlAGTtsRP
— Eyewitness News (@ABC7NY) July 20, 2026
Arrabaca, 43, was also accused of setting off fireworks outside the federal building. Police said he carried a hammer, knives, and a machete along with the pellet gun when he was arrested.
FBI New York field director James Barnacle told the Associated Press that Arrabaca “came armed with bad intentions,” and is “an anti-American, anti-government extremist.”
“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,” New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani said on X. “My team is in touch with the NYPD and we will support the federal investigation. Our administration will continue to ensure that every New Yorker is safe in their city—and hold accountable any who threaten that.”
26 Federal Plaza houses the immigration court that has seen countless protests in President Trump’s second-term immigration crackdown. Former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander and state Senators Jabari Brisport, Gustavo Rivera, and Julia Salazar have all been arrested while protesting there.
This comes after three men were killed in just seven days—either by ICE agents directly or while fleeing them. ...
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