Fiery surveillance video shows anti-ICE arson attack at Federal Plaza
Federal prosecutors released surveillance footage they say shows Andrew Arrabaca wearing camouflage pants and a helmet before an alleged attack outside 26 Federal Plaza in New York City involving fireworks, gasoline and a BB gun. (Credit: US Attorney’s Office/Southern District of NY)
NEW YORK — Federal prosecutors have made public new surveillance video tied to an alleged arson attack at a New York City federal building that houses offices for the FBI, ICE and other government agencies.
Andrew Arrabaca, 43, who is originally from Poughkeepsie, New York, is accused by authorities of launching fireworks at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan, then pouring gasoline on the building’s exterior steps and setting it ablaze.
In the surveillance video, a man prosecutors allege is Arrabaca appears in camouflage pants and a helmet while pulling a cart with an anti-ICE banner displayed on the front.
Andrew Arrabaca, a 43-year-old U.S. Army veteran, is accused of an “anti-government” and “anti-American” attack on the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building in New York City. (Southern District of New York)
The footage appears to show the suspect setting fireworks on the ground and firing them in the direction of pedestrians outside the building. Moments later, he comes back into view holding what authorities describe as a BB or pellet gun and begins shooting, before pouring gasoline onto the steps and igniting it.
Before the surveillance clip ends, the person in the video is seen tossing a box into the fire. Investigators later said the box held additional fireworks.
Andrew Arrabaca, a 43-year-old U.S. Army veteran, is accused of an “anti-government” and “anti-American” attack on the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building in New York City. (Southern District of New York)
Federal officers arrived and arrested him at the scene.
At least one person was injured by explosive debris, suffering from a gash in the back of their head, according to court filings. Two other people suffered minor injuries.
Arrabaca is accused of carrying a slew of additional weapons and incendiary devices. He was initially accused of firing an Airsoft rifle, but prosecutors later said it was a BB or pellet gun, and photos show at least two on the ground after his arrest.
Andrew Arrabaca, a 43-year-old U.S. Army veteran, is accused of an “anti-government” and “anti-American” attack on the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building in New York City. (Southern District of New York)
“He is an anti-American, anti-government extremist,” James Barnacle, the assistant director in charge of the FBI New York Field Office, told reporters at a news briefing Monday. “We know that from what he said.” He added that Arrabaca allegedly “came armed, with bad intentions.”
According to the criminal complaint, Arrabaca allegedly told investigators he had been “motivated to act by anti-government beliefs, including a belief that government authorities were unlawfully harming people” and that he targeted the staircase because he knew it led to a busy entrance.
Andrew Arrabaca, a 43-year-old U.S. Army veteran, is accused of an “anti-government” and “anti-American” attack on the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building in New York City. (Southern District of New York)
Barnacle said Arrabaca is a former U.S. Army soldier who served from 2001 to 2005 as a missile system mechanic. Voter records show he has registered as a Democrat and a member of the left-wing Working Families party.
Three people suffered minor injuries in the attack.”Mr. Arrabaca was looking to injure people and harm people,” Barnacle said. “He had two axes, a hammer, a machete and three knives.”
Andrew Arrabaca, a 43-year-old U.S. Army veteran, is accused of an “anti-government” and “anti-American” attack on the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building in New York City. (Southern District of New York)
He added that police also recovered six more fireworks, “some other destructive items” as well as anti-ICE literature. Authorities seized Arrabaca’s vehicle and were working to obtain a search warrant as Barnacle delivered his update Monday.
Arrabaca does not appear to have a criminal record prior to his arrest outside the building.
The Federal Building has long been a target for extremists, Barnacle said. It’s also one of the most secure locations in Manhattan, surrounded by barricades and road closures.
