Suspect in custody named following explosion at FBI building in New York | New York
Authorities in New York City are investigating an explosion Monday morning outside an FBI building in lower Manhattan that reportedly injured three people.
Investigators said that a person who allegedly threw a fire extinguisher at the scene was detained. The FBI later announced at a press conference that the suspect’s name was Andrew Arrabaca.
“Mr. Arrabaca came with evil intentions,” James Barnacle, assistant director in charge of the FBI’s New York Field Office, said at a televised news conference. He then listed the numerous weapons he had.
The incident occurred at the bureau’s headquarters at 26 Federal Plaza, which is also home to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office, Reuters news agency reported.
Video published on social media An independent journalist showed white smoke billowing from just outside the building and a line of uniformed, armed law enforcement personnel rushing out of the doorway.
A more detailed clip on CNN’s website shows the moment the device exploded and a person on the ground surrounded by police officers or ICE personnel.
According to New York news channel PIX113 people were injured, 2 of them were treated in hospital. The fire appeared to have been started by fireworks “loaded onto a wagon carrying a sign that read, ‘FRIES, get off our streets,'” officials said, citing authorities.
The FBI said in a statement: “This morning, a person placed an incendiary device outside 26 Federal Plaza. The person was taken into custody and the FBI New York joint terrorism task force is investigating the incident.”
NBC New York reported that Arrabaca “may have emotional issues” and that he previously served in the U.S. military and national guard.
Hakeem Jeffries, the ranking U.S. House Democrat who represents the New York district, praised officials’ quick response.
“I am grateful to law enforcement who acted quickly to stop this morning’s attack at 26 Federal Plaza, successfully apprehending the suspect, and keeping the people of New York City safe,” he said in a statement.
“Acts of terrorism and violence have no place in our city and will never be tolerated. Those responsible for this must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Protests against ICE and the Trump administration’s heavy-handed approach to immigration have proliferated in recent weeks and months as the number of deaths at the hands of federal immigration authorities has risen.
Lorenzo Salgado Araujo and Joan Sebastián Durán Guerrero were killed in separate shootings while police officers attempted traffic stops in Texas and Maine in early July. And on July 13, Jesús Manuel Arenas-Silva, a 45-year-old Venezuelan, became the 22nd person to die in ICE custody this year after he was found unresponsive at a detention center in Georgia.
The Trump administration appeared to back away from its strict immigration enforcement policy after two unarmed U.S. citizens — Alex Pretti and Renee Good — were shot and killed by federal agents in Minneapolis in January.
But Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin denied Friday that traffic stops by ICE and border patrol agents would be suspended in response to the latest deadly shootings. And he promised that the increase in immigration arrests would continue.
“We’re turning up the heat on the streets. We’re out there working harder than ever.” he said at a press conference.
