Man With Weapons Starts Fire Outside Manhattan Federal Building

What Happened?

Imagine you’re walking past a big government building in Lower Manhattan (the bottom part of New York City). On Monday morning, something scary happened outside 26 Federal Plaza:

• A man had a bunch of weapons with him.
• He started a fire right outside the building.
• Police say he poured a liquid that catches fire easily and then lit it up.

Were People Hurt?

Luckily, not too badly:

• Two people got minor injuries (meaning small hurts, like a scratch or bump).
• The fire spread fast but was put out before it reached the building.
• Inside that building, immigrants are helped, and officers from the FBI and ICE (a group that handles immigration and customs) work there.

Important: Officials are looking at this event as a possible act of terrorism (a scary act meant to hurt people or cause fear). The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (a team that investigates these acts) is now in charge of the investigation.

Who Was The Person?

Here’s what the police and videos showed:

• The person is believed to be a protester (someone who speaks out against something) with a history of being anti-ICE (against the immigration agency ICE).
• Officers quickly blocked off the area and grabbed the suspect (the person they think did it). He is now in custody (meaning the police are holding him).
• A cart he rolled with him had a sign that said: "ICE Off Our Streets."

What Did He Use?

The homemade fire-making thing was made of simple but dangerous stuff:

• A "makeshift incendiary device" (a do-it-yourself tool that starts fire) made from:
  • Fireworks
  • A flammable liquid (liquid that burns easily)
• The NYPD (New York Police) is also checking the cart he wheeled, which had:
  • Fireworks
  • Airsoft rifles (toy-like guns that shoot plastic balls)
• Another video showed police around a set of weapons found with him:
  • A pellet gun (a gun that shoots small round balls)
  • Some kind of knife
  • A hammer

Because of caution (being extra careful), the building was told to "shelter in place" — stay inside and safe.

What Did The Mayor Say?

Mayor Zohran Mamdani shared his thoughts:

1. He said what happened was "deeply disturbing" (very upsetting).
2. He is relieved (happy) no one was seriously hurt and the suspect is caught.
3. His team is talking with the NYPD and will help the federal investigation.
4. He promised to keep every New Yorker safe and hold anyone who threatens that safety accountable (responsible for their actions).

Summary

A man with a history of protesting against ICE used fireworks and flammable liquid to start a fire outside 26 Federal Plaza in Lower Manhattan. Two people had minor injuries. He had weapons like a pellet gun, knife, and hammer, and rolled a cart with an anti-ICE sign. Police caught him quickly, the fire was stopped, and the FBI is investigating it as a possible terrorism act. Mayor Mamdani assured the city they are safe and the suspect is in custody.

FAQ

Q: What is ICE?
A: ICE stands for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It’s a U.S. group that handles immigration laws and customs (like things coming into the country).

Q: What does "in custody" mean?
A: It means the police have caught the person and are holding them so they can’t leave.

Q: Why did the building say "shelter in place"?
A: As a careful step, they told people inside to stay put and safe because something dangerous was happening outside.

Q: Is this being treated as terrorism?
A: Yes, officials are investigating it as a possible act of terrorism, and the FBI terrorism team is on the case.