Hudson Valley Vet In Custody After 3 Injured When Incendiary Device Ignited Outside 26 Federal Plaza

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — Investigators say a Hudson Valley man has been connected to the device set off at a Manhattan federal building.

Three people were injured Monday morning after what the FBI described as an incendiary device was set off outside 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan's Civic Center, according to the New York City Police Department and federal investigators.

The incident unfolded at about 8:20 a.m., and federal officers took the suspect into custody at the scene.

FBI New York Assistant Director in Charge James Barnacle Jr. identified the suspect as 43-year-old Andrew Arrabaca, of Poughkeepsie. Barnacle said Arrabaca lit a bundle of fireworks, shot a pellet gun, and then poured an unidentified liquid onto the ground, sparking a fire outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement building. Barnacle also said Arrabaca was armed with various weapons in his cart, including a machete, an axe, a hammer, and three knives.

One pedestrian was grazed by the fireworks, and two officers were injured while stopping the suspect, Barnacle said.

"This morning an individual deployed an incendiary device outside of 26 Federal Plaza," the FBI told Patch's Miranda Levingston. "The individual has been taken into custody, and the FBI New York Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating the incident."

"Mr. Arrabaca came armed with bad intentions." Barnacle said. "Mr. Arrabaca was looking to injure people and harm people."

During an interview with investigators, Arrabaca made statements against Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Barnacle said.

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the suspect's cart also carried a sign reading "ICE off our streets."

Barnacle said Arrabaca served in the Army from 2001 to 2005 as a mechanic on Patriot missile systems.

The FBI said its New York Joint Terrorism Task Force is leading the investigation.

This story relied on reporting from Patch's Miranda Levingston.