United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), James C. Barnacle, Jr., Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), Jessica S. Tisch, and Regional Director of the U.S. Federal Protective Service (“FPS”), Robert D. Sooter, announced charges against ANDREW ARRABACA after he set a fire outside of 26 Federal Plaza, sending flames and smoke up the outside of the building. ARRABACA was arrested and presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robyn F. Tarnofsky.
“As alleged, the defendant caused a scene of destruction and mayhem by setting a fire at the entrance to a federal building in lower Manhattan which houses thousands of federal employees and receives hundreds of visitors daily,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “I am thankful for the brave, swift response of our law enforcement partners who stopped the defendant before he could cause greater harm. Once again, our bravest ran to the fire. Anyone who commits reckless acts that endanger New Yorkers and federal employees on federal property will be subject to serious federal criminal charges.”
“Andrew Arrabaca allegedly attempted to disrupt and harm the individuals and infrastructure of 26 Federal Plaza,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle, Jr. “His alleged acts appear to have been motivated by his anti-Government and anti-ICE beliefs. His unlawful conduct was immediately thwarted by the heroic response of the Federal Protective Service Officers, NYPD Officers, FBI Special Agents, and FBI Police Officers. FBI New York has zero tolerance for violence targeted at federal employees who choose to serve all Americans.”
“As alleged in the complaint, Andrew Arrabaca traveled to a government building in Lower Manhattan armed with weapons and explosive devices,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. “Because of the quick and brave actions of law enforcement, no one was seriously injured, and Arrabaca was taken into custody. This incident is a stark reminder of the dangers that law enforcement officers face and the importance of the NYPD’s work with our federal partners to keep the people of New York City safe.”
“The Federal Protective Service is dedicated to safeguarding federal property and ensuring the safety of all who work in and visit these facilities,” said FPS Regional Director Robert D. Sooter. “Our mission is to protect federal buildings, their occupants, and visitors by providing comprehensive law enforcement services. Safety is a top priority; we remain committed to maintaining secure environments that support the vital work of our nation’s government.”
As alleged in the Complaint:(1)
On the morning of July 20, 2026, ARRABACA set off several fireworks in front of the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building at 26 Federal Plaza and shot a BB rifle in the direction of the building. ARRABACA then poured a bucket of flammable liquid onto the ground outside one of the building entrances and ignited the liquid. The liquid exploded into flames. ARRABACA was captured on video footage shooting the BB gun, pouring and igniting the liquid, and running from the scene, as pictured below in still images from surveillance videos:
After setting the fire, ARRABACA retrieved a box of fireworks from a utility wagon that he had wheeled to the area and threw the box into the fire. Law enforcement agents apprehended and arrested ARRABACA just as an explosion sounded from the direction of the fire.
ARRABACA was wearing military-style camouflage pants, a belt with tactical pouches containing BB pellets and carbon dioxide cartridges, and a helmet bearing several phrases, including, “Kill yourself.” A cross-body bag containing a knife and matches was concealed under ARRABACA’s clothing, and a New York driver’s license for ARRABACA was recovered from ARRABACA’s person.
As pictured below, after ARRABACA’s arrest, law enforcement agents searched the wagon and recovered numerous items, including a BB rifle and a pellet rifle, a machete, two hatchets, a mallet, a hammer, and what appeared to be several fireworks, including a cylindrical, multi-shot consumer firework with a printed label reading “Nuclear Warhead” and a black and yellow radiation symbol. A sign on the wagon bore the phrase “ICE Off Our Streets.”
During a recorded, Mirandized post-arrest interview, ARRABACA stated, in substance and in part, that he was motivated to act by anti-government beliefs, including a belief that government authorities were unlawfully harming people, and that he had targeted the building entrance because he previously observed that it was a busy one.
At the time of ARRABACA’s actions, the entrances to the Federal Building were guarded by law enforcement officers and/or government-contracted security guards and there were numerous individuals in the immediate vicinity of the Federal Building. As pictured below, some individuals were just feet away from ARRABACA as he poured and lit a flammable liquid, creating a fireball.
Multiple individuals were evaluated for injuries, including at least one victim who appeared to have been hit with debris from the fire and/or explosion, resulting in a gash on the back of the victim’s head.
ARRABACA, 43, of Poughkeepsie, New York, is charged with destruction of property owned or leased by the United States by means of fire or explosives and causing personal injury or substantial risk of injury, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in prison and a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.
The minimum and maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge.
Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding response of the FPS and the FBI New York Field Office. Mr. Clayton also praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, which consists of investigators and analysts from the FBI, the NYPD, and over 50 other federal, state, and local agencies, as well as the assistance of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, Counterterrorism Section.
This case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and International Narcotics Unit and General Crimes Unit.
As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the Complaint to date constitutes only allegations, and every fact described herein should be treated as an allegation.
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