Manhattan, NY: Federal prosecutors reported that the unhinged homeless veteran who chucked gasoline towards a federal government building in Manhattan and lit it on fire had first scoped other high profile New York City targets for a “possible attack”.
The 43-year-old veteran, Andrew Arrabaca, was seen on video hurling a can of liquid just outside the main entrance of the building and moments later, the area quickly became engulfed in flames.
Moments earlier, he was moving a cart and wearing a T-shirt that read “ICE off our streets”, then shot off fireworks.
After igniting the flame, Arrabaca then fled the scene on foot as a frantic civilian recorded the incident from a terrace above in utter shock.
Authorities were able to catch up to him shortly afterward. It was then reported that Arrabaca admitted he had recently scoped out other potential targets in New York City, all while in possession of enough weaponry to make even Rambo proud.
Among the troubling weaponry included two axes, a machete, hammers, and other items which could easily injure people. His arsenal included airsoft rifles, which he fired. But it was unclear if he was attempting a "suicide by cop".
Arrabaca was reported as having significant mental health issues.
“Arrabaca, a mentally ill Poughkeepsie native, wore a military-style helmet bearing several phrases, including ‘kill yourself,’ during the mayhem outside 26 Federal Plaza,” local media stated.
Jennifer Brown, Arrabaca's attorney highlighted Arrabaca's mental health status in court in an attempt to gain sympathy for the defendant, who made his first court appearance after Monday’s chaotic debacle.
“He understood that he might die. … I think it’s clear that there is a mental-health issue going on here,” Brown told the courtroom.
The federal building, which is the home of ICE's New York field office, has become a focal point for all types of immigration activity, such as immigration hearings. But it has also attracted the attention of protesters who oppose, sometimes violently, President Trump's deportation policies.
According to authorities, the attack planning began over the winter.
“Arrabaca began planning his crime in January, when he started purchasing various weapons at locations in the New York area, prosecutors said Tuesday. He told federal agents that he targeted what he had previously observed was a ‘busy entrance,’ the New York Post reported.
The prosecutor told the court that Arrabaca knew very well what he was doing.
“He admitted that he was aware that people could be hurt and that he was willing to accept this risk,” the prosecutor said.
Medical History
Arrabaca was a homeless Army veteran who was diagnosed with unspecified medical conditions back in 2020.
However, it was reported that he stopped taking his medication in 2021 and most recently was living out of his car. He was seen sleeping in a nearby park the night before the incident.
The presiding judge, Robin Tarnofsky, had ordered the veteran to be held without bail, but expressed empathy over his military service.
“This is an individual who has served our country and, notwithstanding what he appears to have done, is quite clearly ill,” the judge told the court.
Arrabaca remains in custody and is facing one count of arson.
------------------------------------------------
Writer and author Eddie Molina has over 25 years of combined LEO and military service. Learn more about his interview articles at www.eddiemolina.com.
Comments