Authorities in New York City are investigating an explosion on Monday morning outside an FBI building in lower Manhattan that reportedly injured three people.
Suspect in custody
Investigators said a person who allegedly threw an incendiary device at the scene was taken into custody. The FBI later released the name in a press conference, identifying the suspect as Andrew Arrabaca.
“Mr Arrabaca came armed with bad intentions,” said James Barnacle, the assistant director in charge of the FBI New York Field Office in a televised press conference. He then listed numerous weapons in his possession.
The incident occurred at the bureau’s headquarters at 26 Federal Plaza, a building that the Reuters news agency reported also houses an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office.
Details of the incident
Video posted on social media by an independent journalist showed white smoke billowing from just outside the building, and a number of armed law enforcement personnel in uniform emerging quickly from a doorway.
A more detailed clip on CNN’s website appears to show the moment the device exploded, and a person on the ground surrounded by police officers or ICE personnel.
According to the New York news channel PIX11, three people were injured, two of them requiring hospital treatment. The outlet cited officials who said a fire appeared to have been started by fireworks that were “loaded into a wagon bearing a sign that read ‘ICE out of our streets’”.
Official statements
In a statement, the FBI said: “This morning, an individual deployed an incendiary device outside 26 Federal Plaza. The individual has been taken into custody, and the FBI New York joint terrorism taskforce is investigating the incident.”
NBC New York reported that Arrabaca “may have emotional issues” – and that he had previously served in the US army and the national guard.
The top US House Democrat, Hakeem Jeffries, who represents a New York district, praised the quick response of authorities.
“I am grateful to law enforcement for their swift actions to stop an attack at 26 Federal Plaza this morning, for successfully apprehending the suspect and for keeping the people of New York City safe,” he said in a statement.
“Acts of terror and violence have no place in our city and will never be tolerated. The individual responsible for this must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
