Arson Charge Filed After Fireball Erupts At Manhattan Federal Building

Federal Prosecutors Allege Poughkeepsie Man Targeted Busy Entrance Of 26 Federal Plaza With Fire, Fireworks, & Weapons In Anti-Government Attack; Suspect Faces Up To 40 Years In Federal Prison

Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 4:30 P.M. ET. 9 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

MANHATTAN, NY.- Federal authorities have charged a Poughkeepsie, New York, man with federal arson offenses after prosecutors allege he deliberately ignited a fire at the entrance of one of New York City's busiest federal office buildings, creating what officials described as a dangerous scene that placed federal employees, security personnel, and members of the public at substantial risk of serious injury.

     The defendant, Andrew Arrabaca, 43, of Poughkeepsie, was arrested on July 20, 2026, and made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robyn F. Tarnofsky in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on July 21, 2026, following the filing of a federal criminal complaint charging him with Destruction of Federal Property by Means of Fire or Explosives Resulting in Personal Injury or Creating a Substantial Risk of Injury.

     According to federal prosecutors, the offense carries a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in federal prison and a maximum sentence of 40 years if the defendant is convicted. Any sentence ultimately imposed would be determined by the court.

     The announcement was made jointly by United States Attorney Jay Clayton for the Southern District of New York, FBI New York Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle, Jr., New York City Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch, and Federal Protective Service Regional Director Robert D. Sooter.

     The federal criminal complaint alleges that the incident unfolded during the morning rush hour on July 20, 2026, at approximately 8:27 a.m. outside the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building, located at 26 Federal Plaza in Lower Manhattan. The building houses numerous federal agencies, thousands of federal employees, and welcomes hundreds of visitors each day, making it one of the busiest federal facilities in New York City.

     According to investigators, Arrabaca arrived at the building pulling a four-wheeled utility wagon loaded with numerous items. Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators allegedly shows him setting off several fireworks in front of the building before firing a BB rifle in the direction of the federal facility. Authorities allege he then approached one of the building's entrances carrying a bucket filled with flammable liquid, poured the liquid onto the ground immediately outside the entrance, and ignited it, creating a sudden fireball that sent flames up the exterior of the building. After running from the immediate area, investigators say Arrabaca returned to the wagon, retrieved a box containing additional fireworks, and threw it into the burning flames. Moments later, while law enforcement officers were already responding to the incident, one of the fireworks exploded before officers quickly apprehended Arrabaca and placed him under arrest.

     One of the most significant allegations contained within the federal complaint is investigators' assertion that the defendant intentionally selected one of the building's busiest public entrances. According to prosecutors, Arrabaca later admitted during a recorded post-Miranda interview that he had previously observed the entrance and deliberately targeted it because it consistently attracted large numbers of pedestrians. Federal authorities say surveillance footage shows numerous civilians and security personnel standing only feet away as the flammable liquid ignited into a fireball.

     According to the complaint, multiple individuals required medical evaluations following the incident. Investigators allege at least one victim sustained a laceration to the back of the head after apparently being struck by debris generated by either the fire or the subsequent fireworks explosion.

     Federal investigators further allege that Arrabaca admitted during his post-arrest interview that his actions were motivated by anti-government beliefs. According to the complaint, he told investigators he believed government authorities were unlawfully harming people. Prosecutors further allege he admitted that he intended to damage and destroy the federal building, understood that people could be injured or killed by his actions, accepted that possibility, and also understood that he himself could have died while carrying out the attack.

     Investigators also recovered a sign attached to Arrabaca's utility wagon bearing the phrase "ICE Off Our Streets." Based upon evidence gathered during the investigation and statements allegedly made by the defendant, FBI officials stated that the incident appears to have been motivated by anti-government and anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) beliefs.

     According to the complaint, Arrabaca was wearing military-style camouflage pants, a tactical belt equipped with pouches containing BB pellets and carbon dioxide cartridges, and a helmet bearing several phrases, including the words "Kill yourself." Investigators also recovered a concealed cross-body bag containing a knife and matches.

     Following Arrabaca's arrest, law enforcement officers searched the utility wagon he had pulled to the federal building. According to court documents, agents recovered a BB rifle, a pellet rifle, a machete, two hatchets, a hammer, a mallet, and numerous consumer-grade fireworks. Among those fireworks was a large multi-shot firework labeled "Nuclear Warhead" displaying a black-and-yellow radiation warning symbol. Federal authorities have not alleged that any military-grade explosives or improvised explosive devices were recovered, instead identifying the seized pyrotechnics as commercially available consumer fireworks.

     United States Attorney Jay Clayton praised the rapid response of law enforcement officers who confronted the suspect before greater harm could occur.

     "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.

     Clayton credited the swift actions of responding officers with preventing what could have become a significantly more catastrophic incident.

     "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 Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle, Jr. stated that investigators believe the alleged attack targeted both federal infrastructure and the people working inside the building.

     "Andrew Arrabaca allegedly attempted to disrupt and harm the individuals and infrastructure of 26 Federal Plaza."

     Barnacle added that the FBI maintains zero tolerance for attacks directed at federal employees.

     "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 noted that responding officers encountered a suspect allegedly armed with multiple weapons and incendiary materials.

     "As alleged in the complaint, Andrew Arrabaca traveled to a government building in Lower Manhattan armed with weapons and explosive devices."

     Tisch credited the close coordination between local and federal law enforcement agencies with preventing more serious injuries.

     "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 mission of protecting federal facilities nationwide.

     "The Federal Protective Service is dedicated to safeguarding federal property and ensuring the safety of all who work in and visit these facilities. 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."

     Although Arrabaca presently faces federal arson charges rather than terrorism-related offenses, the investigation has been led by the FBI's New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, a multi-agency partnership composed of investigators and analysts from the FBI, the New York City Police Department, and more than 50 additional federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Federal prosecutors also credited the Department of Justice's National Security Division and its Counterterrorism Section for assisting throughout the investigation.

     The criminal complaint filed by FBI Special Agent Ryan Houser alleges that Arrabaca maliciously damaged and attempted to destroy property owned and occupied by the United States through the use of fire and explosives. Prosecutors further allege that his actions directly caused injury to at least one individual while creating a substantial risk of injury to numerous civilians, federal security personnel, law enforcement officers, and emergency responders present during the incident.

     The case is being prosecuted by the National Security and International Narcotics Unit together with the General Crimes Unit of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York. Assistant United States Attorneys Jane Chong, Samantha Fry, and Varun A. Gumaste are leading the prosecution with assistance from Patrick Cashman, Trial Attorney with the Counterterrorism Section of the Department of Justice's National Security Division.

     Federal authorities have not announced whether additional federal charges may be filed as the investigation continues.

Editor's Note: 

This article was written by Haylee Ficuciello, Senior Correspondent, and is based upon information contained within the federal criminal complaint filed in United States v. Andrew Arrabaca, statements released by the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, and information provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York City Police Department, and the United States Federal Protective Service. A federal criminal complaint contains allegations establishing probable cause for arrest and is not evidence of guilt. Andrew Arrabaca is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.