An explosive device was set off outside, 26 Federal Plaza, a New York City building that houses multiple government offices, on Monday afternoon. A suspect has been taken into custody, FBI boss Kash Patel confirmed.
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The arrest sparked reports that the suspect is allegedly an “anti-ICE activist.” However, so far, no information has been released officially by the FBI or the on the suspect’s motive. The claim seems to have originated from the fact that 26 Federal Plaza, along with a lot of other government offices, also houses an immigration court.
Additionally, FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Barnacle, provided more information on the suspect, claiming that he had an “ICE Off Our Streets” placard on his hands. The explosive devices in question were fireworks, Barnacle said.
Barnacle called the attack “an anti-government attack on a federal facility” while Mamdani called it “deeply disturbing.” No further details about the incident were released.
This story is being updated.
Videos Show Smoke, Fire Outside NYC Building
As videos of the fire and smoke from the explosion circulated, unverified information about the suspect in custody started circulating on social media. As of now, the police have not identified the suspect. Patel said that the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating the incident as a possible terrorist attack.
“The individual is in custody and two minor injuries reported thus far,” Patel said.
Here’s a post by popular far-right content creator Eric Daugherty. “The suspect who set off an explosion and fire at the NYC federal building is reportedly an ANTI-ICE LEFTIST ‘ACTIVIST,'” Daugherty wrote.
According to ABC7 News, the fire was started by the suspect using fireworks and a liquid. According to FBI officials cited in the ABC report, the suspect first poured the liquid inside the building and then ignited it with fireworks, sparking a massive fire outside the building.
Videos of the fire were recorded from nearby buildings and pedestrians on social media. Here are some of the videos.
