Man Who Set Fire to Federal Building in NYC Charged With Arson

NEW YORK, NY — A New York man has been charged with federal arson after prosecutors allege he intentionally set a fire outside the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building in Manhattan, threw fireworks into the flames and injured at least one person.

According to a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, Andrew Arrabaca is accused of maliciously damaging and attempting to damage federal property by means of fire and explosives on July 20. Prosecutors allege his actions caused personal injury to one person and created a substantial risk of injury to others, including security personnel and emergency responders.

Federal investigators allege Arrabaca arrived at the federal building at approximately 8:27 a.m. pulling a four-wheeled utility wagon filled with various items. According to the complaint, he set off several fireworks outside the building and fired what investigators later identified as a BB gun toward the federal building before approaching one of its entrances.

Authorities allege Arrabaca then poured a bucket of flammable liquid outside the entrance and ignited it, creating a fire. Investigators say surveillance video captured him lighting the fire and running from the scene. He then allegedly returned to the wagon, retrieved a box of fireworks and threw it into the flames before being taken into custody by law enforcement officers. One of the fireworks later exploded, according to the complaint.

The complaint states Arrabaca was wearing military-style camouflage pants and a helmet bearing several phrases, including "Kill yourself." Investigators allege he also possessed BB pellets, carbon dioxide cartridges, a knife and matches. Authorities said they recovered a BB rifle, pellet rifle, machete, two hatchets, a hammer, a mallet and additional fireworks from the utility wagon, along with a sign displaying the phrase "ICE Off Our Streets."

During a recorded interview after being advised of his constitutional rights, Arrabaca allegedly told investigators he was motivated by anti-government beliefs and believed government authorities were unlawfully harming people. According to the complaint, he admitted intending to damage the federal building and acknowledged people could be injured as a result of his actions. Prosecutors also allege he said he specifically targeted a busy entrance because he knew it was frequently used by the public.

Investigators said multiple people were standing just feet away from the entrance when the fire was ignited. At least one person suffered a head injury after apparently being struck by debris from the fire or explosion and was evaluated by medical personnel, according to the complaint. The Jacob K. Javits Federal Building is owned by the U.S. General Services Administration and houses several federal agencies.

The allegations against Arrabaca are contained in a criminal complaint. A complaint is a formal accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.