Veteran Arrested After Fire at NYC Federal Building

Andrew Arrabaca, a 43-year-old U.S. Army veteran, was arrested on Monday morning after setting off fireworks, igniting a large blaze, and brandishing an airsoft rifle outside lower Manhattan's 26 Federal Plaza, according to authorities. The building houses several government agencies including the FBI's New York field office and an immigration court.

The incident occurred shortly before 9 a.m., where Arrabaca allegedly ignited fireworks, fired pellets from an airsoft rifle, and poured an incendiary liquid on the ground which he then set ablaze. Authorities reported that two government employees and a civilian suffered minor injuries during the attack.

Arrabaca was detained by federal protective services members and a security contractor before being taken into custody by FBI agents. During a post-arrest interview, Arrabaca allegedly told authorities that he targeted the building and was okay with hurting or killing people going in and out of it, according to James Barnacle, assistant director in charge of the FBI's New York field office.

Barnacle described Arrabaca as an 'anti-American, anti-government extremist' who had various weapons including a pellet gun, knives, a hammer, and a machete. The incident prompted officials to cancel a naturalization ceremony scheduled for Monday at the building. Authorities are continuing to collect evidence and conduct interviews.

New security camera footage shows Arrabaca outside the building with a cart full of items. He is first seen sifting through a bag before igniting something inside, causing smoke to pour out. Fireworks then launch in all directions as two people duck and run away. Arrabaca puts down the gun and takes out what prosecutors said was a canister full of gasoline from the cart, dumping its contents on the steps leading into the building and causing huge flames to erupt.

Arrabaca served in the regular Army from July 2001 to July 2004 and in the Army National Guard-New York from July 2004 to July 2005. He had no deployments and left the Army in the rank of specialist, according to an army spokesperson. His car reportedly had the slogan 'ICE off our streets' written on it.

In a post-arrest interview, prosecutors said that Arrabaca told them he was motivated by anti-government beliefs. He claimed government authorities were unlawfully harming people and wished to cause destruction to the building, aware that people could be hurt. The defense argued for his release, saying he should be evaluated and treated at a Veterans Affairs facility.