The U.S. has released surveillance footage showing a former U.S. Army soldier igniting fireworks, firing an airgun, and setting a fire in front of a federal government building in New York before being arrested by authorities. Initially, three people were reported injured. Officials say the suspect had planned the attack for several months.
On Wednesday, 23 Jul 2024 GMT+7, the U.S. Attorney’s Office released CCTV footage showing 43-year-old Andrew Arrabaca, a former U.S. Army soldier, setting off fireworks, firing an airgun, and starting a fire in front of 26 Federal Plaza in New York City before being detained by authorities early Monday morning.
The surveillance video shows the suspect pushing a cart carrying equipment in front of the building along with a box holding the airgun. He placed bags on the ground and used a barbecue lighter to ignite fireworks aimed at the building, but the fireworks fell and traveled along the sidewalk and street as vehicles continued passing by.
Afterward, Arrabaca took out the airgun and fired it along the street, causing some bystanders to rush inside the building for safety. He then poured a flammable liquid believed to be gasoline and set fire to the front entrance stairs, producing flames before officers moved in to arrest him.
26 Federal Plaza houses key agencies such as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and several other federal offices. It is also frequently a focal point for protests against President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement policies.
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Authorities revealed that during his arrest, the suspect carried a sign with messages opposing ICE and spoke out against the U.S. government and the country itself. Several weapons were found in his possession, including two axes, three knives, a hammer, and a machete.
The incident caused minor injuries to three people, including one who had come to the building’s immigration court.
Federal prosecutors stated that Arrabaca had planned the attack for several months and had considered targeting other locations in New York City. He traveled to northern New York to purchase weapons and bought fireworks in Pennsylvania before carrying out the attack by pouring gasoline at the employee entrance and setting fire to the sidewalk, leading to his capture by security personnel.
During a Tuesday hearing, Judge Robin F. Tarnofsky stated that the suspect clearly suffers from mental illness.
Prosecutors further disclosed that Arrabaca had been living in his car and slept in a public park the night before the attack. In 2020, he had been prescribed medication for his mental health condition but had stopped taking it for about a year.
Source:AP
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