Ex-Army Soldier Charged After Fiery Attack on Manhattan Federal Building

A former Army specialist set fire to a sidewalk, ignited fireworks and fired an air-soft pellet gun at the federal building at 26 Federal Plaza, which houses immigration court proceedings. The assailant dragged a cart bearing a sign that read “ICE Off Our Streets,” spread gasoline on the sidewalk, and used a variety of weapons—including two axes, three fixed-blade knives, a hammer and a machete. Security officers from the Federal Protective Service and a private contractor subdued him before he could cause further damage.

Two government employees, a civilian awaiting immigration court, and a bystander who was grazed by fireworks were injured. Only one person required hospital treatment, and the injuries were described as non-life-threatening. The building, located two blocks from the courthouse, has long been a focal point for protests against President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.

Andrew Arrabaca, 43, is a U.S. citizen who previously repaired Patriot missile systems for the Army from 2001 to 2005. He never deployed overseas and left the service as a specialist after a one-year stint in the New York Army National Guard. Prior to the incident, Arrabaca was living in his car and had been a resident of Harlem and Poughkeepsie.

Arson charge lodged against ex-Army soldier in fiery attack on Manhattan federal building

Arrabaca appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robyn F. Tarnofsky, who read him his rights and explained his entitlement to a court-appointed lawyer. Prosecutor Samantha Fry argued for detention without bail, labeling him a danger to the community and a flight risk, and noted that the charge carries a mandatory minimum of seven years in prison. Fry emphasized that the attack could have ended far more tragically given the building’s hundreds of federal employees.

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James Barnacle, who leads the FBI’s New York field office, reported that Arrabaca made “anti-government and anti-American statements” during his arrest and expressed indifference to potential fatalities. Although the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating, Barnacle said the incident has not been classified as terrorism. An Army spokesperson confirmed Arrabaca’s lack of deployments.

UsNews and World ReportArson charge lodged against ex-Army soldier in fiery attack on Manhattan federal building

Defense attorney Jennifer Brown urged that Arrabaca be placed in a Veterans Health Administration locked-ward psychiatric evaluation program, citing his lack of criminal history and underlying mental-health issues. Brown contended that Arrabaca’s intent was to damage property rather than harm people, contrasting with the prosecutor’s assertion that he was aware of the risk to human life.

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