On Monday, July 20, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced that a suspect was arrested in Manhattan, New York after placing an incendiary device outside a federal building.
The FBI released a statement saying, “This morning, an individual placed an incendiary device outside 26 Federal Plaza. The suspect has been detained, and the FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating the case.”
According to Fox News, the New York Police Department stated that a firearm related to the incident was found at the scene, although it has not been confirmed if it belonged to the suspect.
Footage from the scene showed thick white smoke billowing from the incendiary device thrown outside 26 Federal Plaza, with federal agents including those from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency on site.
Reports from The New York Post and MS NOW cited law enforcement sources saying that this was an attack targeting the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency.
Sources revealed that an unidentified man set fire, ignited fireworks, and threatened pedestrians with an air gun outside 26 Federal Plaza around 8:30 a.m. on Monday.
The New York Post mentioned that federal police arrested the suspect at the scene and found a shopping cart with anti-ICE slogans, containing two long guns, additional fireworks, and other items.
According to sources, three people were lightly injured in the incident, including two firefighters who were taken to a nearby hospital.
MS NOW quoted sources familiar with the matter stating that fireworks were placed inside a shopping cart, which the man doused with accelerant and lit on fire. The man also allegedly “threatened” pedestrians with an air gun. An air gun is a type of firearm that typically uses springs or compressed air to shoot plastic pellets.
26 Federal Plaza is the location of the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building, home to the ICE Manhattan office, as well as offices for the Department of Homeland Security, immigration courts, and other federal agencies.
The location is just a few blocks away from City Hall and several federal courthouses.