Former Army Vet Detained After Fireworks Blast Outside NYC Federal Plaza

At about 8:30 a.m. on Monday, a cloud of smoke curled up from the steps of 26 Federal Plaza, the low‑rise building that houses the FBI, ICE and other federal agencies in Lower Manhattan. What started as an ordinary morning quickly turned into a scene straight out of a movie.

According to officials, a man with a wheeled cart loaded with anti‑ICE flyers rolled up to the entrance, dumped a flammable liquid, set it alight with a large firework and, as if that weren’t enough, fired a handful of pellets from an air‑soft rifle. The startling mix of gasoline, fireworks and a pellet gun sparked a brief blaze that singed a few bystanders.

The suspect, later identified as 43‑year‑old Andrew Arrabaca, was a former U.S. Army mechanic who served from 2001 to 2004 and did a short stint in the New York Army National Guard. He’s not a career criminal; his LinkedIn page shows a day‑job as a program assistant for a preservation company, plus a handful of odd gigs at the U.S. Census Bureau and a research assistant stint in a psychology department.

When police finally cornered him, Arrabaca shouted profanities at ICE agents, brandishing a manifesto that read “ICE Off Our Streets.” He was also carrying a puzzling assortment of tools – two axes, a hammer, a machete and several knives – that added a bizarre, almost theatrical element to the episode.

Three people – two federal employees and a civilian – suffered only minor injuries and were released after a quick medical check. “We take this very seriously,” FBI Assistant Director James Barnacle told reporters, emphasizing that the Joint Terrorism Task Force has now taken over the investigation.

NYC Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the incident was first reported as an active shooter, a mischaracterization that was quickly corrected when the true nature of the “attack” – fireworks and a small fire – emerged. The NYPD, FDNY and federal security officers swarmed the building well into the afternoon, keeping the area cordoned off while detectives pieced together the timeline.

Arrabaca’s background adds layers of complexity. He earned a psychology degree from SUNY New Paltz in 2008 and has, in the past, signed petitions urging the EPA and New York state to slash fuel consumption and curb climate‑related emissions. Some officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, hinted that mental health issues might be a factor, but those details are still under review.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who just took office, expressed relief that no one was gravely hurt and promised full cooperation with federal investigators. “We’ll hold anyone who threatens the safety of New Yorkers accountable,” he said.

As of now, Arrabaca remains in custody with charges yet to be formally announced. The incident, while relatively contained, has reignited debates over the line between protest and violence, especially when anti‑government sentiment crosses into dangerous, incendiary actions.