Ex-US Soldier Arrested After Fire, Pellet Gun Attack Outside NYC Federal Building

A former US Army soldier was arrested Monday after allegedly setting fires, igniting fireworks, and firing a pellet gun outside the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building at 26 Federal Plaza in Lower Manhattan, injuring three people and prompting a major security response.

Authorities identified the suspect as 43-year-old Andrew Arabaca. According to the FBI, he intentionally targeted the federal building, which houses Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the FBI, immigration courts, and several other federal agencies.

The incident occurred around 8:30 a.m. when Arabaca arrived pushing a cart carrying a banner reading “ICE Off Our Streets” while wearing a military-style helmet. Investigators said he poured gasoline near an employee entrance, ignited it with a lighter and large fireworks, and then fired five to seven rounds from an airsoft pellet rifle toward the building.

Federal Protective Service officers and a security guard quickly subdued and arrested the suspect before the situation escalated further.

The FBI said Arabaca made anti-government and anti-ICE remarks after his arrest and told investigators he did not care if people were killed.

Three people were injured in the incident, including a person attending an immigration court hearing and two federal employees. One pedestrian was also hurt by fireworks, while a security officer sustained minor injuries during the arrest. One victim was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Investigators also recovered two axes, three fixed-blade knives, a hammer, and a machete from the suspect.

Arabaca served in the US Army from 2001 to 2005, where he worked on Patriot missile defense systems.

The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is leading the investigation, although officials have not classified the incident as an act of terrorism. Charges against the suspect were still being finalized as of Monday evening.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani described the attack as “deeply concerning” and said he was relieved that no one suffered life-threatening injuries and that the suspect was quickly taken into custody.