NEW YORK MAN CHARGED WITH FEDERAL ARSON AFTER FIREBALL ERUPTS AT ENTRANCE TO 26 FEDERAL PLAZA

A New York man has been charged with federal arson after authorities say he ignited flammable liquid outside the entrance to the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building in Lower Manhattan, threw fireworks into the flames, and caused an explosion while law enforcement officers, security personnel, federal employees, visitors, and members of the public were nearby.

Andrew Arrabaca, 43, of Poughkeepsie, New York, was arrested on July 20, 2026, following the incident outside 26 Federal Plaza. He appeared the following day before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robyn F. Tarnofsky in the Southern District of New York.

Arrabaca is charged with maliciously damaging or destroying, and attempting to damage or destroy, property owned, possessed, or leased by the United States through the use of fire or an explosive. The federal complaint also alleges that his conduct caused personal injury and created a substantial risk of injury to other people, including public-safety officers performing their duties.

According to a complaint sworn by FBI Special Agent Ryan Houser, Arrabaca approached the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building at approximately 8:27 a.m. while pulling a four-wheeled utility wagon containing weapons, tools, fireworks, and other items.

Investigators allege that Arrabaca set off several fireworks in front of the building before firing what was later identified as a BB gun in the direction of the federal property. He then allegedly ran toward one of the entrances, poured a bucket of flammable liquid onto the ground, and ignited it.

The liquid erupted into flames as people stood only feet away. Surveillance recordings and videos taken by witnesses allegedly captured Arrabaca firing the BB gun, pouring and igniting the liquid, and running from the entrance.

After setting the fire, Arrabaca allegedly returned to the wagon, removed a box containing several fireworks, and threw it into the flames. Law enforcement officers apprehended him shortly before an explosion sounded from the direction of the fire.

The complaint states that law enforcement officers and government-contracted security guards were stationed at the building’s entrances at the time. Numerous other people were also in the immediate area when the flammable liquid produced a fireball.

Multiple individuals were evaluated for injuries following the fire and explosion. At least one person appeared to have been struck by debris, causing a gash to the back of the victim’s head, according to the complaint.

Authorities allege that Arrabaca was wearing military-style camouflage pants, a helmet, and a belt fitted with tactical pouches containing BB pellets and carbon dioxide cartridges. Several phrases were written on the helmet, including the words “Kill yourself.”

Investigators also allegedly recovered a cross-body bag concealed beneath Arrabaca’s clothing that contained a knife and matches. A New York driver’s license bearing his name and photograph was found on his person.

After the arrest, law enforcement officers searched the utility wagon near the building entrance and allegedly recovered a BB rifle, a pellet rifle, a machete, two hatchets, a mallet, a hammer, and several fireworks.

One of the recovered items was described as a cylindrical, multi-shot consumer firework bearing the printed label “Nuclear Warhead” and a black-and-yellow radiation symbol. A sign attached to the wagon displayed the words “ICE Off Our Streets.”

During a recorded interview conducted after Arrabaca was advised of his constitutional rights, he allegedly told investigators that he had been motivated by anti-government beliefs, including a belief that government authorities were unlawfully harming people.

The complaint states that Arrabaca allegedly admitted that he wanted to cause damage and destruction to the federal building. He also allegedly acknowledged that people could be injured by his actions and said he had been willing to accept that risk.

Arrabaca allegedly told investigators that he selected the entrance because he had previously observed that it was busy. He also allegedly said that he understood he could have died as a result of his actions.

Those reported statements form part of the government’s allegations submitted to establish probable cause. They have not been established as fact through a conviction or final judicial determination.

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton credited the responding officers with preventing the situation from causing greater harm.

“As alleged, the defendant caused a scene of destruction and mayhem by setting a fire at the entrance to a federal building in lower Manhattan which houses thousands of federal employees and receives hundreds of visitors daily,” Clayton said. “I am thankful for the brave, swift response of our law enforcement partners who stopped the defendant before he could cause greater harm. Once again, our bravest ran to the fire. Anyone who commits reckless acts that endanger New Yorkers and federal employees on federal property will be subject to serious federal criminal charges.”

FBI New York Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle, Jr. said the alleged conduct appeared to have been directed at the people and infrastructure associated with 26 Federal Plaza.

“Andrew Arrabaca allegedly attempted to disrupt and harm the individuals and infrastructure of 26 Federal Plaza,” Barnacle said. “His alleged acts appear to have been motivated by his anti-Government and anti-ICE beliefs. His unlawful conduct was immediately thwarted by the heroic response of the Federal Protective Service Officers, NYPD Officers, FBI Special Agents, and FBI Police Officers. FBI New York has zero tolerance for violence targeted at federal employees who choose to serve all Americans.”

New York City Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch emphasized the danger allegedly presented by the weapons, fireworks, and flammable material brought to the scene.

“As alleged in the complaint, Andrew Arrabaca traveled to a government building in Lower Manhattan armed with weapons and explosive devices,” Tisch said. “Because of the quick and brave actions of law enforcement, no one was seriously injured, and Arrabaca was taken into custody. This incident is a stark reminder of the dangers that law enforcement officers face and the importance of the NYPD’s work with our federal partners to keep the people of New York City safe.”

Federal Protective Service Regional Director Robert D. Sooter reaffirmed the agency’s responsibility for protecting federal facilities and everyone who enters them.

“The Federal Protective Service is dedicated to safeguarding federal property and ensuring the safety of all who work in and visit these facilities,” Sooter said. “Our mission is to protect federal buildings, their occupants, and visitors by providing comprehensive law enforcement services. Safety is a top priority; we remain committed to maintaining secure environments that support the vital work of our nation’s government.”

The Jacob K. Javits Federal Building is owned and operated by the United States General Services Administration and is occupied by several federal agencies. Thousands of federal employees work inside the building, which also receives hundreds of visitors each day.

The alleged decision to ignite flammable liquid outside a busy entrance created a danger extending beyond damage to federal property. According to the complaint, security personnel, law enforcement officers, visitors, and other individuals were close to the entrance when the fireball erupted.

Arrabaca is charged under 18 U.S.C. § 844(f)(1) and § 844(f)(2). The statute applies to the malicious damage or destruction of property owned, possessed, or leased by the federal government through the use of fire or explosives. The enhanced provision addresses conduct that directly causes personal injury or creates a substantial risk of injury to another person, including a public-safety officer performing official duties.

The charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in federal prison and a maximum sentence of 40 years. Those potential penalties were established by Congress and are provided for informational purposes. Any sentence would be determined by a federal judge after considering the applicable law and circumstances of the case if Arrabaca is convicted.

Clayton praised the Federal Protective Service and FBI New York Field Office for their response. He also credited the FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force for its investigative work.

The task force includes investigators and analysts from the FBI, New York City Police Department, and more than 50 federal, state, and local agencies. The Department of Justice’s National Security Division and Counterterrorism Section also assisted with the case.

The prosecution is being handled by the Southern District of New York’s National Security and International Narcotics Unit and General Crimes Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jane Chong, Samantha Fry, and Varun A. Gumaste are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Trial Attorney Patrick Cashman of the Counterterrorism Section of the Justice Department’s National Security Division.

FBI Special Agent Ryan Houser stated that the complaint was based on his personal involvement in the investigation, review of video recordings, conversations with witnesses and other law enforcement officers, and examination of reports and records. The affidavit was submitted for the limited purpose of establishing probable cause and does not contain every fact learned during the investigation.

The charge against Andrew Arrabaca and all factual statements contained in the complaint remain allegations. Arrabaca is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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United States v. Andrew Arrabaca federal criminal complaint, Case No. 26 MAG 2911, filed July 21, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The complaint was sworn by FBI Special Agent Ryan Houser before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robyn F. Tarnofsky. (Free Download)

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