Newly released surveillance footage is giving the public a detailed look at a disturbing incident that unfolded Monday morning outside a federal building in Lower Manhattan — and the surprisingly calm reaction from many of those who witnessed it.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office released the security camera video Wednesday, offering the clearest picture yet of what happened outside 26 Federal Plaza. The incident resulted in arson charges against Andrew Arrabaca, a 43-year-old former U.S. Army soldier, who prosecutors say admitted to carrying out the attack. He has been held in jail without bail.
According to the footage, Arrabaca arrived at the scene pulling a small wagon loaded with supplies. He set up a large fireworks launcher capable of rapidly firing dozens of rockets, then ignited it. The rockets initially shot into the air before the launcher tipped over, sending projectiles flying in every direction — down the sidewalk, into the street, and even into his own wagon, causing an explosion.
What struck many viewers of the footage was how unfazed some bystanders appeared to be. In one notable moment, two people walk calmly past Arrabaca and the chaotic shower of fireworks, even as a rocket narrowly misses them and explodes just beside them in a burst of red sparks and smoke. It was only when Arrabaca raised what appeared to be a rifle — authorities confirmed it was a pellet gun — and pointed it in their direction that the pair ran for cover.
The incident reached its peak when Arrabaca emptied a bucket that appeared to contain bottles and ignited a large fire on the sidewalk, which quickly spread to the steps at the building’s entrance. At one point amid the chaos, a person casually rode past on a bicycle.
The building is home to offices for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the FBI, and other federal agencies. It has also been a frequent gathering point for protests against the current administration’s immigration enforcement efforts.
Authorities said Arrabaca was carrying a sign opposing ICE and made what officials described as “anti-government and anti-American statements” while being arrested. He was also found with two axes, three fixed-blade knives, a hammer, and a machete.
Three people suffered minor injuries in the incident, including one individual who had been at the building for an immigration court hearing. Federal prosecutors say Arrabaca had been planning the attack for several months and had even considered targeting other locations across New York City.
Investigators say he traveled to upstate New York to obtain weapons and went to Pennsylvania to purchase fireworks. At the scene, a security officer tackled him after he allegedly poured gasoline near an employee entrance and ignited the sidewalk.
At a hearing Tuesday, U.S. Magistrate Judge Robyn F. Tarnofsky described Arrabaca as “quite clearly ill.” His defense attorney requested that he be transferred to a locked ward at a Veterans Health Administration facility for a mental health evaluation, but a judge ordered him jailed and evaluated there instead.
Prosecutors revealed that Arrabaca had been living out of his car and spent the night before the attack sleeping in a park. He was prescribed medication for a mental health condition in 2020 but stopped taking it roughly a year later.
During his time in the Army from 2001 to 2004, Arrabaca worked on Patriot missile systems. He also served one year in the New York Army National Guard. An Army spokesperson said he had no overseas deployments and was discharged at the rank of specialist.
