Officials identify Army veteran as suspect in Manhattan federal building fire

What This is

• Officials identified the suspect as Andrew Arrabaca, 43, a U.S. Army veteran.
• Authorities say he set off fireworks and used a flammable liquid or accelerant to start a fire outside 26 Federal Plaza in Lower Manhattan.
• The building houses federal offices including the FBI and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and some reports also note immigration court and other agencies there.
• Officials say he carried anti-ICE signs or literature and expressed anti-government views during or around his arrest.
• Authorities reported minor injuries to three people, though accounts differ on who was hurt and whether some needed hospital care.
• Police said he had weapons, with reports mentioning pellet or airsoft guns and edged weapons, and some reports say other gear was also found.
• The FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating, and officials said charges had not been announced at the time of reporting.

Why This Matters

• Attacks tied to immigration politics can raise the risk of copycat violence and push protests toward confrontation.
• When investigators frame an incident as an “anti-government attack,” it can lead to heavier federal scrutiny and more aggressive security around public buildings.
• Violence or threats near immigration courts can deter immigrants and witnesses from showing up, affecting access to basic legal processes.
• The case adds pressure on leaders to balance public safety with the right to protest against ICE and other agencies.