Federal authorities arrested a suspect Monday morning after an incendiary device was set off outside 26 Federal Plaza in lower Manhattan, injuring two people and prompting a terrorism investigation.
The incident occurred around 8:30 a.m. outside the federal building, which houses offices for multiple federal agencies including Immigration and Customs Enforcement. According to WBAL-TV, two people sustained minor injuries in the incident.
ABC 7 New York reported that a man armed with multiple weapons started a fire outside the building using some type of flammable liquid. The suspect was quickly apprehended at the scene, though authorities have not yet released the individual’s identity.
Details of the Attack
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the incident in a statement posted on social media. “This morning an individual deployed an incendiary device outside of 26 Federal Plaza in New York,” Patel wrote. “The individual is in custody and two minor injuries reported thus far. FBI [Joint Terrorism Task Force] is investigating the incident.”
According to WNCT, the fire appears to have been started using fireworks that were loaded into a wagon. The wagon reportedly displayed a sign reading “ICE off our streets,” suggesting the attack may have been motivated by opposition to immigration enforcement activities.
The Department of Homeland Security provided additional details about the incident in its own social media statement. According to the agency, “an anti-ICE rioter launched fireworks outside of 26 Federal Plaza, grazing a bystander, and poured what is believed to be gasoline on the stairs of the entrance to the building and set it on fire.”
Swift Response by Security Personnel
A Federal Protective Service officer responded quickly to the unfolding situation. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the Protective Security Officer “swiftly tackled and detained the agitator, sustaining minor injuries during the incident.”
The officer’s rapid response appears to have prevented the situation from escalating further. The two reported injuries were described as minor by multiple sources.
Investigation Underway
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force has taken over the investigation into the incident. The task force, which brings together federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, specializes in investigating potential terrorist threats and attacks.
Federal Plaza, located in the Civic Center neighborhood of Manhattan, houses numerous federal offices and agencies. The building is a frequent site of protests, particularly those related to immigration policy due to ICE’s presence in the facility.
Authorities have not released information about potential charges the suspect may face or details about a possible motive beyond the apparent anti-ICE message displayed on the wagon. The investigation remains ongoing, and officials have not indicated whether additional suspects are being sought in connection with the incident.
The incident comes amid ongoing debates over immigration enforcement policy and the role of federal agencies like ICE. The building’s location in lower Manhattan makes it a prominent target for demonstrators, though violent incidents at the site remain relatively rare.
No further details about the extent of the fire damage or the full scope of weapons the suspect allegedly possessed have been released by authorities. Federal officials are expected to provide additional information as the investigation progresses.
Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/2nd-amendment/2026/07/20/suspect-in-custody-after-device-ignited-outside-federal-plaza/