NEW YORK, July 21 (Our New York News) — Authorities have identified Andrew Arrabaca, 43, as the suspect in an alleged incendiary device attack outside 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan, a federal building in New York City. FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Barnacle told ABC News that Arrabaca allegedly poured gasoline outside the building, then ignited it with a lighter and a large firework in a canister.
No charges had been announced in the ABC News report, and the public information provided so far does not include a criminal complaint, indictment, or court case number. That means the allegations are still just that: allegations.
What happened?
According to Barnacle, the incident happened Monday morning outside the federal building in lower Manhattan. ABC News reported that three people suffered minor injuries.
Fox News video said federal agents arrested Arrabaca after the alleged detonation. Fox News also reported, citing two law-enforcement sources, that Arrabaca had “anti-ICE stuff on him” at the time of the alleged attack.
What did investigators say they found?
Barnacle said Arrabaca had two axes, a hammer, a machete, three knives and several incendiary devices. He also said Arrabaca had a cart with “anti-ICE literature.”
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, speaking to ABC News, said the cart bore a sign reading “ICE Off Our Streets.” Barnacle also said Arrabaca yelled derogatory terms toward ICE during the arrest.
Those details matter because investigators often look for clues about motive, planning, and whether a suspect acted alone. But officials have not yet said in a charging document, at least in the material provided, what the legal motive was or what exact offense they intend to bring.
Why does the location matter?
26 Federal Plaza is federal property. ABC News reported that Tisch pointed that out as federal authorities took the lead. That helps explain why the case involved federal agents, rather than only city police.
The building is also connected to immigration-related operations in Manhattan, which is why ICE came up in the reporting. ABC News described it as a federal building that houses an immigration court.
What is an incendiary device?
An incendiary device is something designed to start or spread fire. In this case, officials described a device that was allegedly lit with gasoline, a lighter and a firework. That is different from a firearm case or a simple arson report, though it can overlap with fire-setting and explosives-related offenses depending on the facts and the charges filed.
What is still unknown?
The biggest gap is the legal process. Officials had not publicly announced charges in the reports available here, so it is not yet clear exactly what Arrabaca would be charged with, or in which court the case will be filed.
It is also unclear from the material provided whether prosecutors will describe the anti-ICE material as evidence of motive, or simply as items found during the arrest.
For now, the confirmed picture is limited but important: authorities say a 43-year-old man was arrested after an alleged fire-setting attack outside a federal building in Manhattan, and investigators say anti-ICE material was found on him.
