New video shows former soldier's alleged attack on federal building in New York City
ABC News has obtained video of the entire Manhattan federal building attack, during which a man is seen firing a BB gun and setting a massive fire outside a building which houses an immigration court.
The Monday morning attack at 26 Federal Plaza unfolded in about two minutes, according to the video.
Once flames and smoke started crawling up the building's facade, a security guard tackled the suspect, former Army private Andrew Arrabaca, and federal police rushed in.
Arrabaca is accused of firing a BB gun down the street, pouring flammable liquid in front of the building's employee entrance, setting the liquid on fire and throwing fireworks onto the flames, federal prosecutors said.
Two government employees and one civilian suffered minor injuries, according to the FBI. The civilian victim was an immigrant there for an immigration hearing, the FBI said.
"This attack could have ended much more tragically," federal prosecutor Samantha Fry said in court Tuesday. "He had targeted this particular entrance of the building because it was a busy entrance."
FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Barnacle called Arrabaca "an anti-American, anti-government extremist."
Arrabaca was armed with two axes, a hammer, a machete, three knives and several incendiary devices, according to the FBI. Arrabaca had a sign reading "ICE Off Our Streets," police said, and he allegedly "yelled derogatory terms toward ICE" during his arrest, according to Barnacle.
Arrabaca, who is charged with arson, has not entered a plea and was denied bail at a Tuesday court appearance.
Defense attorney Jennifer Brown said in court that Arrabaca has an "underlying mental health issue," and Magistrate Judge Robyn Tarnofsky agreed. Tarnofsky ordered prosecutors to convey to the Bureau of Prisons that Arrabaca requires mental health treatment, calling him "quite clearly ill."
Arrabaca is due back in court on Aug. 4.
