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A U.S. Army veteran has been charged with arson after allegedly setting a fire and firing a pellet gun outside a federal building in New York City that houses an immigration court, the FBI, and other government offices. Federal prosecutors revealed that Andrew Arrabaca, 43, had been planning the attack for several months.
Arrabaca appeared in Manhattan federal court Tuesday, where he did not enter a plea. The incident occurred Monday morning outside 26 Federal Plaza, injuring three individuals before law enforcement subdued him.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robyn F.
Tarnofsky expressed concern over the potential severity of the attack, calling the crime “troubling” and ordering Arrabaca’s release to a mental health facility after a bail hearing.
According to James Barnacle, assistant director in charge of the FBI’s New York Field Office, Arrabaca, a former Army mechanic who worked on Patriot missile systems, held strong anti-government and anti-ICE views. Authorities described him as “an anti-American, anti-government extremist.” Voter records show Arrabaca was registered as a Democrat and affiliated with the left-wing Working Families Party.
Arrabaca arrived at the federal building around 8:30 a.m. armed with a pellet gun, knives, a hammer, and a machete. He ignited a large firework before pouring a flammable liquid that started a fire near the entrance. Surveillance footage captured the flames and smoke, as well as the efforts of officers to restrain him.
In addition to setting the fire, Arrabaca allegedly fired five to seven pellets from an airsoft rifle at the building. He was taken into custody shortly after the incident and has remained in federal custody since. Authorities also reported that during the attack, Arrabaca made anti-government statements and expressed willingness to harm or kill anyone entering or exiting the building, whether federal employees or civilians.
Federal prosecutors stated that Arrabaca began planning the attack in January, purchasing supplies and scouting multiple locations in New York City before choosing the federal building near the courthouse. He reportedly spent the night in a park before carrying out the attack on Monday morning, intentionally targeting a busy entrance.
Prosecutors described Arrabaca’s actions as calculated, noting that he understood the risk of causing harm and even death but proceeded regardless. Defense attorney Jennifer Brown highlighted her client’s mental health struggles and requested that he be placed in a Department of Veterans Affairs mental health hospital for evaluation and treatment. Judge Tarnofsky acknowledged these concerns but expressed doubt about Arrabaca’s willingness to comply with treatment.
The federal building has been a focal point for protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement amid heightened immigration enforcement in recent years. One of the injured in Monday’s attack was an immigrant attending a hearing at the building, according to the FBI.
Arrabaca is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on August 4 and faces a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in prison.