'Anti-ICE' army veteran started fire outside Manhattan federal building, say officials

July 21, 2026

A 43-year-old former US Army soldier, Andrew Arrabaca, was arrested after setting fire to the entrance of a Manhattan federal building that houses FBI and Immigration and Customs Enforcement offices. The suspect allegedly fired pellet gun shots, launched fireworks, and poured accelerant on the building's stairs while making anti-government and anti-ICE statements during the Monday morning incident. Federal agents subdued Arrabaca, who was carrying multiple weapons including axes, a machete, and knives, resulting in minor injuries to three individuals including two government employees and an immigrant attending a hearing.

Who is affected

Andrew Arrabaca (the arrested suspect)
Three people who sustained minor injuries: two government employees and one immigrant who was attending a status hearing
A security officer who tackled and detained Arrabaca
A bystander who was grazed
FBI, ICE, and US Citizenship and Immigration Services staff working at 26 Federal Plaza
New Yorkers (as referenced by Mayor Zohran Mamdani)

What action is being taken

No explicit ongoing actions are stated in the article beyond the completed arrest and fire suppression.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the escalating tensions and potential for violence surrounding immigration enforcement policies at federal facilities. The attack on a building housing multiple immigration agencies demonstrates how political opposition to government policies can manifest in dangerous criminal acts that endanger public safety. The location's status as a protest flashpoint indicates broader community conflict over the Trump administration's immigration approach, with implications for security at federal buildings nationwide.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC