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Ex-Army soldier jailed on arson charge after fiery attack on Manhattan federal building
Summary by The San Antonio Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Michael R. Sisak And Larry Neumeister, Associated Press , KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 21, 2026
· 4 min read
A former U.S. Army soldier was charged with arson and jailed without bail on Tuesday after prosecutors say he confessed to carrying out a fiery attack on a Manhattan federal office building where immigration hearings are held. Andrew Arrabaca, 43, plotted the attack for months and considered stri...
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Summary created by The San Antonio Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Michael R. Sisak And Larry Neumeister, Associated Press, KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 21, 2026 Indexed here Jul 22, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway Andrew Arrabaca, 43, plotted the attack for months and considered striking other New York City targets before setting a fire, lighting fireworks and firing a pellet gun Monday morning outside 26 Federal Plaza, Assistant U.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
The arrest of Andrew Arrabaca, a former Army soldier, for the arson attack on a federal building in Manhattan, raises questions about the support systems in place for veterans in San Antonio and Bexar County. As a community with a significant military presence, San Antonio has a large population of veterans who may be struggling with mental health issues or adjusting to civilian life. The fact that Arrabaca's defense lawyer attributed his actions to an underlying mental health issue highlights the need for accessible and effective mental health services for veterans. San Antonio's own Veterans Health Administration facilities and local organizations that provide support services for veterans will be crucial in addressing these issues and preventing similar incidents from occurring in our own community. The city's efforts to provide resources and support for veterans will be closely watched in the wake of this incident.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 21, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 4 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A former U.S. Army soldier was charged with arson and jailed without bail on Tuesday after prosecutors say he confessed to carrying out a fiery attack on a Manhattan federal office building where immigration hearings are held. Andrew Arrabaca, 43, plotted the attack for months and considered stri...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 21, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Michael R. Sisak And Larry Neumeister, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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