DistantNews
Support us
Man Who Attacked NYC Federal Building Identified as Army Veteran by FBI
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Conflict & Security

Man Who Attacked NYC Federal Building Identified as Army Veteran by FBI

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Under investigation
  • The man who threw an explosive device at a New York federal building is a U.S. Army veteran who served between 2001 and 2005, according to the FBI.
  • The suspect, identified as Andrew Arrabaca, allegedly ignited gasoline and threw a firecracker inside a container, causing a large flame, before firing airsoft pellets at the building.
  • Arrabaca, who faces charges including attacking a federal facility, was reportedly motivated by anti-immigration and anti-government sentiments, shouting insults at ICE officers upon his arrest.

The individual accused of launching an explosive device at a New York federal building is a U.S. Army veteran, the FBI confirmed. Andrew Arrabaca, 43, who served as a Patriot missile system mechanic from 2001 to 2005, was arrested following the incident at the 26 Federal Plaza, a building often criticized for its immigration detention center conditions.

According to FBI Deputy Assistant Director James Barnacle, Arrabaca entered the building through an employee entrance shortly before 9:00 AM, poured gasoline on the floor, and ignited it with a lighter and a firecracker in a container, creating a significant flame. He then proceeded to fire five to seven airsoft pellets from a rifle. The attack resulted in minor injuries to three people: one civilian and two public employees.

Authorities revealed that Arrabaca was armed with axes, a hammer, a machete, and knives, and carried leaflets opposing the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Upon his arrest, he reportedly shouted anti-ICE insults and profanities, leading the FBI to label him an "anti-American and anti-government extremist." Barnacle stated that the building has long been a target for extremists, and this incident represented a materialization of that threat. The investigation into the attack remains ongoing.

Andrew Arrabaca, the man who was arrested after being accused of the incident, served in the U.S. Army between 2001 and 2005.

— James BarnacleFBI Deputy Assistant Director confirming the suspect's military service.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog