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Arson charge lodged against ex-Army soldier in fiery attack on Manhattan federal building

5 articles
4 sources
0% diversity
Updated 21.7.2026
Key Topics & People
Andrew Arrabaca *26 Federal Plaza Federal Bureau of Investigation New York City Immigration

Coverage Framing

2
2
1
Legal & Judicial(2)
National Security(2)
Political Strategy(1)
Avg Factuality:82%
Avg Sensationalism:Moderate

Story Timeline

Jul 21 Evening

2 articles|1 sources
manhattanarson chargefederal building attackfederal buildingformer soldier
Legal & Judicial(1)
Associated Press (AP)Jul 21

Arson charge lodged against ex-Army soldier in fiery attack on Manhattan federal building

Andrew Arrabaca, a former Army soldier, has been charged with arson following a fiery attack on a federal building in Manhattan that houses immigration court. The incident occurred on July 20, 2026, when Arrabaca allegedly set a sidewalk fire, ignited fireworks, and fired a pellet gun at the building, injuring three people. Authorities stated Arrabaca made anti-government statements and confessed to the attack, indicating he was aware of and willing to accept the risk of harming people. He was apprehended by security officers after dragging a cart with an "ICE Off Our Streets" sign to an employee entrance. Arrabaca was detained without bail, with prosecutors citing him as a danger to the community and a flight risk, while his defense sought psychiatric evaluation.

Mixed toneFactual3 sources
Negative
National Security(1)
Associated Press (AP)Jul 21

Ex-soldier started a fire and fired a pellet gun outside a New York federal building, FBI says

A man identified as having ties to anti-Trump immigration protests was arrested after attacking 26 Federal Plaza in Lower Manhattan on Monday morning. The building houses offices for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the FBI, and other federal agencies. According to police, Arrabaca poured gasoline on the ground outside an employee entrance, ignited it with a lighter and firework, and then fired five to seven pellets at the building before being apprehended by two Federal Protective Service officers and a security contractor. Two government employees and one civilian were injured in the attack, which was described as "deeply disturbing" by New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating the incident, but has declined to classify it as an act of terrorism.

Mixed toneFactual3 sources
Negative

Key Claims

factual

An arson charge was lodged against a former Army soldier, Andrew Arrabaca, for a fiery attack on a Manhattan federal building.

factual

Three people were injured in the attack at 26 Federal Plaza, which houses immigration court proceedings.

factual

Prosecutor Samantha Fry urged detention without bail, stating Arrabaca is a danger to the community and a flight risk.

— prosecutor Samantha Fry

factual

Defense lawyer Jennifer Brown suggested Arrabaca has an underlying mental health issue and intended to damage property, not people.

— Defense lawyer Jennifer Brown

factual

A former U.S. Army soldier set off fireworks, lit a fire, and shot a pellet gun outside a Manhattan federal office building, injuring three people.

— FBI

Jul 21 Morning

1 articles|1 sources
anti-icefederal building fireimmigration policiesprotestsus army soldier
Political Strategy(1)
BBC News - WorldJul 21

'Anti-ICE' army veteran started fire outside Manhattan federal building, say officials

A former US Army soldier, Andrew Arrabaca, 43, was arrested after starting a fire outside a federal building in Manhattan on Monday morning. Officials stated Arrabaca shot a pellet gun, set off fireworks, and poured accelerant on the building's entrance stairs, causing a blaze that was extinguished by the fire department. He was reportedly armed with axes, a machete, knives, and fireworks. Three people sustained minor injuries, including an immigrant attending a status hearing. The FBI reported that Arrabaca made anti-government and anti-ICE statements during the incident, and the Department of Homeland Security described him as an "anti-ICE rioter."

Mixed toneFactual3 sources
Negative

Key Claims

factual

A former US Army soldier, Andrew Arrabaca, was arrested for starting a fire outside a federal building in NYC.

— FBI

factual

The suspect allegedly shot a pellet gun, set off fireworks, and poured accelerant on stairs, causing a fire.

— FBI

factual

The suspect was armed with a machete, axes, knives, and fireworks.

— FBI

factual

Three people sustained minor injuries, including an immigrant attending a status hearing.

— FBI

factual

The suspect made several anti-government and anti-ICE statements during the incident.

— FBI

Jul 20 Evening

2 articles|2 sources
incendiary devicenew york cityarrestimmigration courtfbi building explosion
Legal & Judicial(1)
Al JazeeraJul 20

Man arrested after fire outside New York immigration court

A man was arrested after igniting an incendiary device outside an immigration court building in New York City. The incident occurred at the immigration court building. The article states that a man was arrested in connection with the event. No further details regarding the motive or specific timing of the incident are provided in the article content.

MeasuredFactual
Negative
National Security(1)
The Guardian - World NewsJul 20

Suspect held after explosion at FBI building in New York City

An explosion occurred Monday morning outside an FBI building in lower Manhattan, injuring three people. Authorities took a suspect into custody who allegedly threw an incendiary device at the building, which also houses an ICE field office. The FBI's joint terrorism taskforce is investigating the incident. Reports suggest the device may have been fireworks loaded into a wagon with a sign reading "ICE out of our streets." While the FBI did not identify the suspect, NBC New York reported the individual may be 43-year-old Andrew Arrabaca, a former US army and National Guard member with potential emotional issues.

MeasuredFactual5 sources
Negative

Key Claims

factual

A man has been arrested.

factual

An incendiary device was set off outside a New York immigration court building.

factual

The incident occurred outside an immigration court.

factual

An explosion occurred outside an FBI building in lower Manhattan on Monday morning.

factual

A suspect was taken into custody after allegedly throwing an incendiary device.

— FBI