26 Federal Plaza, NYC. Photo: Ameer Mussard-Afcari / Shutterstock.com A man was taken into custody on Tuesday, July 20, after allegedly igniting an incendiary device and firing a pellet gun outside 26 Federal Plaza in New York City, the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) New York field office said.
The FBI stated that the suspect, identified as Andrew Arrabaca, allegedly ignited the device, fired the pellet gun outside and shot a pellet gun at the building's north side.
In an earlier statement, ADIC Barnacle provided additional details about the incident. At approximately 8:40 a.m. EST, Barnacle said, the suspect "discharged fireworks toward the north side of the 26 Federal Plaza building, then poured an apparent accelerant on the stairs near the Worth Street pedestrian entrance and ignited it."
Federal Protective Service officers, with coordinated help from NYPD officers, FBI special agents, and FBI police officers. immediately responded and detained the suspect, who remains in custody. The fire was quickly extinguished by FBI Police and caused no significant damage to the property.
Three individuals sustained minor injuries during the incident. The FBI said investigators have found no indication of an ongoing threat to the public.
According to the agency, Arrabaca made several anti-government and anti-ICE statements during the incident. Additional details have not been released as the investigation remains ongoing.
The case is being handled by the FBI New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, including the New York City Police Department, in coordination with prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York.