July 21, 2025
An Army veteran has been arrested after allegedly setting a fire outside the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building, also known as 26 Federal Plaza, in New York on the morning of July 20. Andrew Arrabaca, 43, was tackled by federal officers after allegedly igniting fireworks, pouring gasoline, and setting fire to an entrance of the building.
Authorities said Arrabaca was carrying anti-ICE signs at the time of the alleged arson. The building houses several federal agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and an immigration court. It is used daily by thousands of federal employees.
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), at about 8:20 a.m. on July 20, Arrabaca ignited fireworks outside an employee entrance to 26 Federal Plaza in Lower Manhattan. He then allegedly poured what appeared to be gasoline on the entrance stairs and set them on fire.
Surveillance video showed federal agents tackling and apprehending a man shortly after the fire was started. Another person quickly extinguished the flames. According to authorities, Arrabaca was carrying a cart with a sign that read, “ICE off our streets.”
He allegedly had several weapons in the cart, including knives, two pellet guns, a hammer, and a machete. Authorities said Arrabaca also fired five to seven pellets from an airsoft rifle. Three people were injured in the incident, including two federal officials and one immigrant who had arrived at the building for a hearing.
Following the attack, James Barnacle, the assistant director in charge of the FBI’s New York Field Office, described Arrabaca as an anti-government extremist who intended to harm people.
Authorities said Arrabaca continued shouting anti-ICE slogans during his arrest.
26 Federal Plaza has seen several ICE-related incidents after federal agents began arresting immigrants who appeared there for scheduled immigration hearings. Since the summer of 2025, several protests against the agency have been held outside and near the building.
The alleged arson occurred as ICE faces renewed scrutiny following fatal shootings involving two civilians by federal agents in Texas and Maine.
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