Topline<\/p>\n
A suspect deployed fireworks Monday outside a building in New York City that houses U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement and other federal agencies, resulting in a large fire, with the FBI confirming a suspect was in custody and the incident resulted in multiple minor injuries.<\/p>\n
The Jacob K. Javits Federal Building at 26 Federal Plaza is seen on August 15, 2025 in New York City.<\/p>\n
Getty ImagesKey Facts<\/p>\n
Following initial reports saying an individual had deployed an \u201cincendiary device,\u201d FBI Assistant Director James Barnacle and the Department of Homeland Security told reporters Monday that an individual had launched fireworks outside a federal building at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan, which houses ICE, immigration courts, the FBI\u2019s New York field office and other federal agencies.<\/p>\n
The suspect was taken into custody and the FBI said its FBI New York Joint Terrorism Task Force was investigating the incident, which took place around 8:30 a.m. EDT and is being investigated as an \u201canti-government attack.\u201d<\/p>\n
FBI Assistant Director James Barnacle told reporters Monday the suspecDHS said Monday the suspect poured liquid, believed to be gasoline, on the stairs of the building\u2019s entrance before \u201cset[ting] it on fire,\u201d with FBI Assistant Director James Barnacle telling reporters Monday the suspect put fireworks \u201con top of\u201d the liquid to start the blaze.<\/p>\n
Two minor injuries have so far been reported as a result of the incident, FBI Director Kash Patel said<\/a> on X on Monday, with DHS reporting a federal law enforcement officer sustained minor injuries when tackling the suspect, and a bystander was \u201cgrazed\u201d as the suspect went to pour the liquid.<\/p>\n DHS describes the suspect as an anti-ICE protester and Bloomberg reports<\/a> they \u201cmenaced\u201d pedestrians with a firearm, which the FBI and DHS have identified as being a \u201cpellet gun,\u201d prior to the fire.<\/p>\n New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani called the incident \u201cdeeply disturbing\u201d in a statement<\/a> Monday.<\/p>\n What We Don\u2019t Know<\/p>\n Who the suspect is and any potential motive they may have had for the incident, though multiple outlets<\/a> report<\/a> he had a sign saying, \u201cICE Off Our Streets.\u201d<\/p>\n What Has Mamdani Said?<\/p>\n Mamdani said Monday his staff is \u201cin touch with the NYPD\u201d and would \u201csupport the federal investigation,\u201d adding he was \u201crelieved no one was seriously injured and that a suspect is in custody.\u201d His administration \u201cwill continue to ensure that every New Yorker is safe in their city \u2014 and hold accountable any who threaten that,\u201d the mayor added.<\/p>\n What Do Videos Of The Incident Show?<\/p>\n A video<\/a> published online and shared by news outlets Monday shows a large billow of smoke coming up directly next to 26 Federal Plaza. A team of officers quickly rushed out of the building and appeared to immediately apprehend the suspect, whom the video shows being ushered back into the building wearing handcuffs. Other video<\/a> of the incident taken from overhead shows the suspect appearing to spread liquid on the ground and setting the fire, with a large blaze of fire resulting. Subsequent video reported<\/a> by ABC 7 showed law enforcement gathered around weapons the suspect appeared to have in their possession, which the outlet identifies as including firearms, a hammer and a knife.<\/p>\n What to Watch for<\/p>\n The FBI\u2019s investigation into the incident is still ongoing, with multiple outlets<\/a> reporting<\/a> the city\u2019s bomb squad is also involved in the investigation and is inspecting the suspect\u2019s cart. No charges against the suspect have yet been announced.<\/p>\n What Should People In New York City Know?<\/p>\n