Ex-soldier ignites fire at 26 Federal Plaza, three injured

An arrested former U.S. Army soldier set fire and fired a pellet gun outside 26 Federal Plaza in lower Manhattan on Monday morning, the FBI said, leaving three people with minor injuries and prompting a security response at the federal building housing the FBI, ICE and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

FBI agents tackled the suspect, identified as 43-year-old Andrew Arrabaca of Poughkeepsie, who was allegedly armed with two axes, a machete, three knives and fireworks, FBI New York Assistant Director James Barnacle said. Arrabaca reportedly fired five to seven pellets from an airsoft gun toward the building and ignited fireworks before pouring an accelerant on the entrance stairs, which caught fire and was extinguished by the fire department.

The FBI said Arrabaca made several anti-government and anti-ICE statements during the incident. Of the three people who sustained minor injuries, two were government employees and one was a bystander who was grazed; a security officer who detained Arrabaca also suffered minor injuries, authorities said.

Arrabaca served in the regular Army from 2001 to 2004 and in the Army National Guard-New York from 2004 to 2005, leaving the service with the rank of specialist and without deployments, according to reports citing CBS. The Department of Homeland Security characterized the suspect as an “anti-ICE rioter.”

Liberal News Analysis: What Does This Development Mean?

The arrest followed a brief but violent incident at a federal building that serves as a focal point for immigration-related matters and protests. Officials reported the suspect used incendiary materials and multiple weapons, fired an airsoft gun at the facade, and made anti-government statements during the event. Authorities secured the scene and treated three individuals for minor injuries.

Quick Glance: What You Need to Know

• Incident occurred Monday morning at 26 Federal Plaza in lower Manhattan outside offices of FBI, ICE and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
• Suspect identified as 43-year-old Andrew Arrabaca, arrested after agents tackled him; he was armed with multiple weapons and fireworks.
• Three people sustained minor injuries; fire was extinguished and the scene secured by authorities.