Suspected Attack with Incendiary Device Outside Federal Building in NYC

An explosive incident occurred outside a federal building in Lower Manhattan on Monday morning. New York police have confirmed that a suspect is now in custody.

The incident unfolded outside 26 Federal Plaza, a facility that hosts several federal agencies, such as the FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Witnesses reported hearing an explosion, prompting immediate action by authorities as they rushed to the building’s entrance.

Authorities discovered a man equipped with an airsoft rifle, carbon dioxide cartridges, halogen lighting, and a helmet, according to multiple law enforcement sources.

Initial reports suggested that the explosion was caused by fireworks in a trash can, as noted by senior security sources. Fire department personnel successfully extinguished the resulting flames and apprehended the suspect.

The act appears to have been motivated by anti-ICE sentiments. Once the fireworks detonated, thick smoke enveloped the area in front of 26 Federal Plaza. Police stated that the suspect possessed two types of guns, which were identified as BB guns or airsoft weapons. One of these guns was a long firearm carried in a grocery cart.

According to an early review, no shots were fired during the incident. Video footage from the scene captured the thick smoke outside and law enforcement officers arresting the suspect. Residents and commuters are being warned of potential traffic delays, disruptions in mass transit, and road closures near Worth Street and Lafayette Street. Authorities advise avoiding the area.

This situation is ongoing, and updates will follow as more information becomes available.