On July 20, 2026, a former U.S. Army soldier named Andrew Arrabaca was arrested after starting a fire outside a federal building in New York City. The incident occurred at 26 Federal Plaza, a site that has been a focal point for protests against the immigration policies of the Trump administration. Arrabaca, who is 43 years old and previously worked as a mechanic on Patriot missile systems, was reported to have come armed with various weapons, including a pellet gun, knives, a hammer, and a machete. He allegedly fired five to seven pellets from an airsoft rifle toward the building before pouring gasoline on the stairs and igniting it, resulting in flames erupting outside the entrance.
The Department of Homeland Security labeled Arrabaca as an "anti-ICE rioter" and stated that he was carrying anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement materials at the time of his arrest. The incident took place around 8:20 a.m., and a bystander was grazed by fireworks that Arrabaca launched during the event. A security officer who intervened to tackle Arrabaca sustained minor injuries, and one person was transported to the hospital, although their injuries were not life-threatening.
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani expressed his relief that no one was seriously injured and confirmed that the suspect was in custody. He stated that his team was in contact with police and would support the federal investigation into the incident. The FBI's New York Joint Terrorism Task Force is currently investigating the matter, highlighting the seriousness of the situation. Videos and photos from the scene depicted a fire with smoke billowing on the sidewalk outside the building, as well as law enforcement officers restraining Arrabaca and taking him away.
The building at 26 Federal Plaza houses several government offices, including the New York office of the FBI and an immigration court. This location has seen chaotic and sometimes violent arrests in the past, particularly as migrants leave hearings. The incident involving Arrabaca underscores the ongoing tensions surrounding immigration policies and the protests that have arisen in response to them, reflecting a broader national discourse on these issues.
