'Anti-ICE' Army veteran set fire outside Manhattan federal building, say officials
A former US Army soldier was arrested after allegedly attacking a federal building in New York City with weapons and an accelerant. Officials described the suspect as an anti-government extremist who targeted the site housing ICE and other federal agencies.
Why it matters
The incident highlights rising tensions surrounding US immigration policy and the potential for domestic extremism targeting federal infrastructure.
Image source, Robert Sullivan/AP By Sareen Habeshian Published 21 July 2026, 03:16 BST A former US Army soldier has been arrested after igniting a fire in front of a federal building in New York City, says the FBI.
Andrew Arrabaca, 43, allegedly shot a pellet gun and set off fireworks on Monday morning at 26 Federal Plaza, where the FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and US Citizenship and Immigration Services have offices.
Federal agents tackled the suspect, who they say was armed with a machete and other weapons.
Three people sustained minor injuries in the incident, including an immigrant who was attending a status hearing, said the FBI. The lower Manhattan site has become a flashpoint for protests against President Donald Trump's immigration policies.
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