New York incendiary device suspect charged in federal court

NEW YORK (NBC, KYMA) - In a Manhattan federal court room Tuesday, a former Army soldier was charged with arson.

43-year-old Andrew Arrabaca allegedly gave investigators a lengthy confession detailing his fiery attack in Manhattan Monday.

He allegedly set a sidewalk on fire, ignited fireworks, and fired a pellet gun outside of a federal building that houses immigration court proceedings.

Security officers were able to subdue him but not before three people were injured in the chaos.

Prosecutor Samantha Fry said Arrabaca is a danger to the public and had been planning the attack since January.

While defense lawyer Jennifer Brown fought back saying Arrabaca saying, "There's an underlying health issue going on here."

Brown urged that her client be released to veterans health administration locked-ward psychiatric evaluation program.

At this time, he is being held without bond.