Full Breakdown
Former Army Veteran Arrested After Incendiary Attack on Manhattan Federal Building
7/21/2026, 11:42:57 PM
Attack on 26 Federal Plaza
On the morning of July 20, 2026, 43-year-old former U.S. Army specialist Andrew Arrabaca arrived at 26 Federal Plaza in Lower Manhattan with a cart marked “ICE Off Our Streets.” Video shows him pouring gasoline onto the steps, igniting it with a firework, and firing an air-soft rifle at the façade. Federal Protective Service officers and a security contractor tackled and handcuffed him before the fire was extinguished.
Background & Context
The 41-story complex houses ICE, the FBI, USCIS and a federal immigration court, making it a frequent protest target.
Data & Statistics
- Time: ~8:30 a.m.
- Injuries: three minor injuries reported by FBI Assistant Director James Barnacle; DHS and ABC 7 reported two; FDNY treated one person at a hospital.
- Weapons recovered: two air-soft rifles, two axes, a machete, three knives, a hammer, six fireworks/incendiary devices, a gasoline-filled bucket and a manifesto.
- Other details: Arrabaca wore a military-style helmet and carried anti-ICE literature.
Official Statements & Responses
- He declined to label the incident a terrorist act.
- Mayor Zohran Mamdani called the event “deeply disturbing,” expressed relief that no one was seriously injured, and pledged city cooperation with federal investigators.
- FBI Director Kash Patel said the “individual deployed an incendiary device” and that the Joint Terrorism Task Force is leading the investigation.
- Deputy U.S. Attorney James McDonald noted no charges have been filed and the investigation is ongoing.
- NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the firework ignition followed by pellet discharge and said a search warrant will be sought for Arrabaca’s vehicle.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Injury counts differ among agencies.
- Terrorism classification remains unsettled; the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is involved, but officials have not labeled the act terrorism.
- Motive is linked to anti-ICE sentiment, though law-enforcement has not ruled out mental-health factors; a manifesto has not been released.
Verbatim Quotes
- “He is an anti-American, anti-government extremist,” — James Barnacle, FBI Assistant Director
- “I'm relieved no one was seriously injured and that a suspect is in custody,” — Zohran Mamdani, NYC mayor
- “He came armed with bad intentions,” — James Barnacle
- “The building was attacked. Mr. Arrabaca was looking to injure people and harm people.” — James Barnacle
- “This morning an individual deployed an incendiary device outside of 26 Federal Plaza in New York,” — Kash Patel
- “He poured gasoline onto the ground and ignited it with a lighter and an incendiary device. That device was a firework—a large firework in a canister that proceeded to catch on fire,” — James Barnacle
