Description
A 43-year-old Army veteran was arrested after setting off an "incendiary device" and lighting a fire outside a federal building in New York City on Monday.
"He is an anti-American, anti-government extremist," James Barnacle, the assistant director in charge of the FBI's New York Field Office, said at a news conference. "We know that from what he said. We know that from what he has said post-arrest. And we know that from … his actions that he tried to take today."
The suspect allegedly poured gasoline onto the ground outside 26 Federal Plaza, which houses an immigration court and other government offices, and ignited it with a lighter and a large firework inside a canister, Mr. Barnacle said.
The FBI said he was carrying "anti-ICE literature," allegedly fired "five to seven" pellets from an airsoft rifle toward the building and "yelled derogatory terms toward ICE" as he was being arrested.
Mr. Barnacle said the suspect "came armed with bad intentions" and was carrying two axes, a hammer, a machete and three knives.
Two government employees and one civilian suffered minor injuries, the FBI said.
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