Story perspectives

Mechanic Ignites Fireworks, Injures Immigrant Outside Manhattan Federal Building

7/21/2026

Summary

Story summary

An immigrant waiting for a hearing was injured when Army mechanic Andrew Arrabaca ignited gasoline and fireworks outside the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building in Manhattan.
A Federal Protective Service officer tackled Andrew Arrabaca, sustaining minor injuries, while officers seized a bag of pellet guns and a manifesto.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani called the attack deeply disturbing, pledged city support for the federal investigation and urged accountability.

History

Historical Context

On April 19 1995, Army veteran Timothy McVeigh detonated a Ryder truck loaded with about 7,000 lb of ammonium nitrate outside the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, killing 168 people. Fueled by anger over the 1992 Ruby Ridge standoff and the 1993 Waco siege, the attack spurred the 1996 Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act and a nationwide overhaul of federal-building security.

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Story summary

An immigrant waiting for a hearing was injured when Army mechanic Andrew Arrabaca ignited gasoline and fireworks outside the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building in Manhattan.
A Federal Protective Service officer tackled Andrew Arrabaca, sustaining minor injuries, while officers seized a bag of pellet guns and a manifesto.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani called the attack deeply disturbing, pledged city support for the federal investigation and urged accountability.

1 / 2