Army veteran attacks federal building in New York

The FBI has identified the suspect in Monday’s incident outside 26 Federal Plaza as Andrew Arrabaca, 43, of Poughkeepsie, calling him an “anti-American, anti-government extremist.” Three people — two federal employees and a civilian — suffered minor injuries and were treated and released.

According to FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Barnacle, Arrabaca doused the building’s entrance with gasoline, ignited it with a firework, and fired five to seven pellets from an airsoft rifle toward the building. Officials say he told investigators after his arrest that he was targeting the building and was “OK” with hurting or killing people inside, whether federal employees or civilians.

Arrabaca is a former US Army soldier who served from 2001 to 2005 as a mechanic on Patriot missile systems, according to the FBI. He was carrying two axes, a hammer, knives, and a cart marked “ICE Off Our Streets,” officials said, and had a history of anti-ICE activism. DHS described him as an “anti-ICE rioter.” He was tackled and detained by a Federal Protective Service officer.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani called the incident “deeply disturbing” on social media, adding his administration would “hold accountable any who threaten” New Yorkers’ safety.