Federal prosecutors say the attack outside 26 Federal Plaza on Monday was not spontaneous but planned for months.

Andrew Arrabaca, a 43-year-old U.S. Army veteran from Poughkeepsie, is now being held without bail on a federal arson charge, officials said.

What You Need To Know

Andrew Arrabaca, a 43-year-old U.S. Army veteran from Poughkeepsie, is now being held without bail on a federal arson charge, officials said

According to prosecutors, after his arrest, Arrabaca admitted he began buying supplies in January, traveling to upstate New York and Pennsylvania to make those purchases

He allegedly considered several locations across the city before settling on the Jacob Javits Federal Building

According to prosecutors, after his arrest, Arrabaca admitted he began buying supplies in January, traveling to upstate New York and Pennsylvania to make those purchases. He allegedly considered several locations across the city before settling on the Jacob Javits Federal Building.

The night before the attack, prosecutors say Arrabaca slept in a park with a wagon filled with weapons, including hatchets, a machete and fireworks. And on Monday morning, prosecutors say those images show him setting off fireworks and firing a BB gun toward the building before pouring flammable liquid inside a busy employee entrance. He ignited it, creating a fireball just feet from several people.

Multiple people were injured, officials said. At least one person was struck by debris and suffered a gash to the back of the head.

According to the complaint, Arrabaca told investigators he acted because of anti-government beliefs, including his belief that government authorities were unlawfully harming people. He also allegedly admitted that he knew members of the public could be hurt and was willing to accept that risk.

Arrabaca did not enter a plea. His attorney told the court that he was diagnosed with mental illness in 2020 and had stopped taking his medication.

He is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where the judge ordered the government to request mental health treatment within 48 hours.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 4. If convicted, Arrabaca faces a mandatory minimum of seven years and up to 40 years in prison.