Morning rush hour turned into a terrorism scare in Lower Manhattan after an armed man allegedly ignited an incendiary device outside a federal building and left behind an anti-ICE message.
Federal officers arrested the unidentified suspect outside 26 Federal Plaza at about 8:30 a.m. Monday, according to police and law enforcement sources.
Authorities said the man started a fire, set off fireworks and threatened people nearby with what appeared to be airsoft rifles. Immigration officers were reportedly among the federal personnel who rushed to the scene.
“This morning an individual deployed an incendiary device outside of 26 Federal Plaza,” the FBI confirmed in a statement to Fox News.
“The individual has been taken into custody, and the FBI New York Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating the incident.”
Investigators found a cart bearing an anti-ICE message at the scene, sources said. Authorities have not publicly identified the suspect or announced a formal motive.
This story is developing…
🚨 BREAKING: The suspect who set off an explosion and fire at the NYC federal building is reportedly an ANTI-ICE LEFTIST "ACTIVIST"
There is LITERALLY a sign with the belongings saying "ICE OFF OUR STREETS" 😡
This federal plaza houses ICE OFFICES and immigration court… pic.twitter.com/PyrgB6X6IF
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) July 20, 2026
🚨 BREAKING: There was just an EXPLOSION outside the federal building in NYC and federal immigration agents rushed out with the FBI, guns drawn
Suspect IN CUSTODY.
Pray for our federal law enforcement, they face danger EVERY SINGLE DAY 🙏🏻🇺🇸pic.twitter.com/rySIW8mcje
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) July 20, 2026
🚨 NOW: Horrifying footage shows an incendiary device EXPLODING in front of the federal building in NYC as law enforcement apprehend the suspect, Joint Terrorism Task Force now investigating
A FIRE erupted in front of the federal plaza, then a small explosion
This POS felt…
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) July 20, 2026
