Army vet was targeting ICE in fiery attack outside NYC federal building: FBI
Suspect in attack on federal building was targeting ICE
Federal officials have identified the suspect as an anti-government extremist opposing federal immigration enforcement who intended to cause harm.
NEW YORK CITY - A morning commute in Lower Manhattan erupted into chaos after a suspect ignited a fire, set off commercial fireworks and brandished a pellet gun directly outside 26 Federal Plaza, a high-security complex that houses offices for the FBI, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and federal immigration courts.
The suspect, who was quickly taken into custody by federal security officers, has been identified by authorities as 43-year-old Andrew Arrabaca.
Heavily armed
What we know:
Officials say Arrabaca, a former U.S. Army Patriot missile systems mechanic with ties to both Poughkeepsie and Harlem, arrived at the federal building with a variety of weapons and incendiary materials.
He was armed with six incendiary devices, commercial-grade fireworks, a bucket of suspected gasoline, two axes, a hammer, a machete, three knives and airsoft pellet guns/rifles.
Fireworks explode outside of NYC's immigration court at 26 Federal Plaza; 1 in custody
The NYPD is investigating on Monday morning after authorities said a man lit fireworks outside 26 Federal Plaza, the federal immigration court in New York City, and injured two people.
Video showed the suspect pouring liquid outside an entrance around 8 :30 a.m. Monday, before setting off fireworks to ignite huge flames and firing a pellet gun.
‘Anti-American’
What they're saying:
Law enforcement officials characterized the suspect as an anti-government extremist driven by opposition to federal immigration enforcement.
"He came armed with bad intentions, looking to injure people and harm people," said James Barnacle, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s New York Field Office. "He is an anti-American, anti-government extremist. We know that from what he said post-arrest, and we know that from the actions he tried to take."
FBI update on incendiary device at NYC's 26 Federal Plaza
The FBI and NYPD gave an update on the investigation after a man ignited gasoline and a firework outside 26 Federal Plaza in Lower Manhattan.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed that the New York Police Department is assisting federal authorities by analyzing city surveillance networks to trace Arrabaca's movements prior to the attack.
What's next:
Arrabaca is expected to face multiple federal charges.
The Source: Information from this article was provided by the FBI and NYPD.