A protester with a documented history of opposing Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations set fire to a Manhattan federal building housing an immigration court, injuring two people and triggering a terrorism investigation by federal authorities.

Suspect Attacks Federal Plaza With Incendiary Materials

Video footage captured the moment the suspect poured flammable liquid outside 26 Federal Plaza before igniting it with fireworks, creating a massive blaze at the building’s entrance. FBI Assistant Director James Barnacle confirmed the attack targeted the facility specifically because it houses immigration courts. When authorities apprehended the suspect, they discovered he carried a pellet gun and a protest sign reading “ICE Off Our Streets,” making his anti-government motivations clear from the outset.

Two victims suffered minor injuries in the attack—one federal employee and one civilian bystander. Both received medical treatment at the scene and were released shortly after, according to official reports. The FBI New York Joint Terrorism Task Force immediately took over the investigation, treating the incident as what Barnacle called “an anti-government attack on a federal facility.” The suspect remains in federal custody facing potential terrorism-related charges.

City Leadership Responds to Federal Building Attack

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani issued a statement calling the incident “deeply disturbing” while expressing relief that no one sustained serious injuries. The mayor emphasized his administration’s commitment to ensuring public safety and holding accountable anyone who threatens New Yorkers. Federal authorities have not yet released the suspect’s identity or detailed his prior anti-ICE activities, though investigators confirmed a documented history of opposition to immigration enforcement operations. The attack raises fresh concerns about escalating tensions surrounding federal immigration policy and the security of government facilities.

What This Means

This incident marks a dangerous escalation in protests against federal immigration enforcement, crossing from demonstration into violent action targeting government property and personnel. Federal buildings nationwide house immigration courts and ICE offices, making them potential flashpoints as immigration policy debates intensify. The quick response by the Joint Terrorism Task Force signals federal authorities are treating attacks on immigration facilities with the highest seriousness. As the investigation continues, prosecutors will likely pursue charges that reflect both the violent nature of the attack and its anti-government motivations, potentially setting precedents for how similar incidents are handled in the future.