Federal prosecutors have released new surveillance video of an alleged arson attack on a government building in New York City that houses offices for the FBI, ICE, and other agencies.
The suspect, identified as Andrew Arrabaca, a 43-year-old man from Poughkeepsie, New York, is accused of launching fireworks at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan before dumping gasoline on the steps outside and lighting it on fire.
The video shows a man in camouflage pants and a helmet pulling a cart with an anti-ICE banner hanging from the front. The suspect is seen placing fireworks on the ground before firing them toward pedestrians outside.
He reenters the frame with a BB or pellet gun and begins shooting, then dumps a can of gasoline on the steps and lights them on fire. Before the video ends, the figure can be seen throwing a box into the flames, which investigators later said contained more fireworks.
Federal officers arrived and arrested Arrabaca 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.
According to authorities, Arrabaca allegedly told investigators he had been "motivated to act by anti-government beliefs, including a belief that government authorities were unlawfully harming people." He targeted the staircase because he knew it led to a busy entrance.
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. Authorities seized Arrabaca's vehicle and were working to obtain a search warrant as the investigation continues.
The Federal Building has long been a target for extremists, and it's also one of the most secure locations in Manhattan, surrounded by barricades and road closures.
