A man is in custody after he allegedly ignited “an incendiary device” outside of a federal building that houses an ICE field office and immigration services Monday morning.
The New York Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating the incident which took place at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan around 8:30 a.m, according to a video posted on X by Freedom News TV. Smoke could be seen billowing from an area directly in front of the building.
Preliminary information indicated that fireworks exploded inside a garbage can, sources told CBS News.
Photos showed officers tackling the man, who has not been publicly identified. The suspect also had airsoft rifles, which deploy pellets, along with a helmet and carbon dioxide cartridges, according to authorities.
“This morning an individual deployed an incendiary device outside of 26 Federal Plaza,” the FBI’s New York field office said in a statement. “The individual has been taken into custody and the FBI New York Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating the incident.”
The joint task force combines resources from the FBI with the New York Police Department.
26 Federal Plaza is located in downtown Manhattan and houses the New York field office of ICE, immigration courts, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and other agencies.
There has been much attention on the building over the last year as the Trump administration has cracked down on illegal immigration and conducted ICE operations in New York City. Protesters have taken to the streets surrounding the building in opposition to the administration’s harsh enforcement.
The administration has faced intense scrutiny for deploying federal agents inside the building to arrest immigrants as they arrive for court hearings or check-ins.
It’s unclear what motive the suspect may have had in setting off the device.
But those familiar with the matter told New York Daily News that the suspect wheeled a cart with fireworks and flammable liquid in front of the building to ignite the fire. The cart allegedly had a sign that read, “ICE off our streets.”
One person was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries, a source told NBC News.
