Police said a man started a fire outside 26 Federal Plaza in Lower Manhattan on Monday morning using an incendiary device made with fireworks and a flammable liquid. Officers took him into custody after securing the area, and two people had minor injuries.
26 Federal Plaza in Lower Manhattan
The flames spread quickly but were put out before they reached the building, which is where immigrants are processed and where FBI and ICE officers are located. The building went into a shelter in place out of an abundance of caution, turning a single incident outside the entrance into a security response at a federal site used for daily processing.
A separate video showed law enforcement officials gathered around weapons reportedly found in the man's possession. Police said the items included a pellet gun, some sort of knife and a hammer, while The NYPD said it was looking at the cart the suspect wheeled with him, which contained fireworks and airsoft rifles.
FBI New York Joint Terrorism Task Force
The incident is being investigated as a possible act of terrorism, and the FBI New York Joint Terrorism Task Force is continuing that work. Police also said the person is believed to be a protester with a history of anti-ICE activity, a detail that complicates the straightforward picture of a fire set outside a federal building.
Zohran Mamdani said, "What occurred outside 26 Federal Plaza this morning was deeply disturbing," and added, "I'm relieved no one was seriously injured and that a suspect is in custody." He said, "My team is in touch with the NYPD and we will support the federal investigation," and, "Our administration will continue to ensure that every New Yorker is safe in their city - and hold accountable any who threaten that."
