An incendiary device detonated outside a federal building in Lower Manhattan, leading to a suspect being apprehended. The incident occurred Monday morning at 26 Federal Plaza, which houses multiple governmental bodies such as the FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
The explosion prompted authorities to rush to the scene where they discovered a man equipped with several items. These included an airsoft rifle, carbon dioxide cartridges, halogen lighting, and a helmet, according to multiple law enforcement sources.
Preliminary reports suggest that fireworks placed in a trash can were responsible for the explosion, senior security sources disclosed.
The fire department swiftly responded to extinguish the flames, and the suspect was taken into custody. Initial assessments from authorities point to the incident being an anti-ICE attack, with heavy smoke observed outside the building due to the fireworks.
The suspect was armed with two realistic-looking guns identified as BB or airsoft guns. One of the guns was a long type carried in a grocery cart, law enforcement sources revealed. No gunshots were reported during the incident.
Video footage from the scene showed intense smoke engulfing the front of the building, accompanying the arrest of the suspect by law enforcement personnel. The police have cautioned that traffic delays, disruptions in mass transit, and road closures should be anticipated near Worth Street and Lafayette Street. The public is advised to avoid the area.
This situation remains fluid and developments may unfold further.
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