Anti-ICE Veteran Sets Fire Outside Federal Building

A former soldier ignites a fire at a federal building in NYC, armed with weapons, causing injuries and raising concerns over protests against immigration policies.

A former US Army soldier has been arrested after igniting a fire in front of a federal building in New York City, as reported by the FBI.

Andrew Arrabaca, 43, allegedly opened fire with a pellet gun and set off fireworks on Monday morning at 26 Federal Plaza, which houses offices for the FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and US Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Federal agents swiftly apprehended the suspect, who was armed with a machete and multiple other weapons. The incident resulted in three individuals sustaining minor injuries, including an immigrant attending a status hearing, according to FBI officials. The location has recently become a focal point for protests opposing President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.

Described by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as an “anti-ICE rioter,” Arrabaca allegedly poured an accelerant on the building’s entrance stairs, igniting a fire. The blaze was extinguished by the fire department.

During the incident, Arrabaca reportedly made several anti-government and anti-ICE statements. James Barnacle, Assistant Director of the FBI New York field office, revealed in a press conference that the suspect fired about five to seven rounds from an airsoft gun directed at the federal building.

According to Barnacle, among those injured were two government employees, and a bystander was grazed. In addition, a security officer who tackled and detained Arrabaca also suffered minor injuries. Barnacle labeled Arrabaca as “an anti-American, anti-government extremist.”

Arrabaca, hailing from Poughkeepsie, New York, served in the regular Army from 2001 to 2004 and the Army National Guard in New York from 2004 to 2005. He left the Army with the rank of specialist, with no noted deployments during his service.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani characterized the incident as “deeply disturbing” in a post on social media, assuring that his administration would prioritize the safety of New Yorkers and hold accountable those who pose a threat to public safety.