Mayor Eric Adams suggested that a masked individual, dubbed the Firebug, was responsible for setting fire to nearly 12 NYPD vehicles in Brooklyn on Thursday morning. He attempted to link this incident to violent anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles, though sources remarked that the connection wasn’t strongly substantiated.
Adams stated, “There’s reason to believe that those involved are connected to some of the protests happening in Los Angeles and across the country,” during a briefing with arson investigators.
He didn’t go into detail on how this link was determined, but mentioned, “There are signs that indicate some individuals have direct knowledge of this incident, and we’re looking into it.”
However, reports pointed out a post on X by the group involved in the arson, listing their main motivation as “solidarity with the uprising in Los Angeles, where the community is facing off against American forces.”
“From one city of police to another, we face a death and surveillance state,” the post claimed.
Still, the credibility of this post is under scrutiny—police sources suggested that it was unclear whether the author had any actual involvement in the incident.
The suspect, dressed entirely in black, attempted to access a parking lot. When unable to do so, he climbed a fence and spent around 40 minutes at the scene, according to sources.
In total, 11 police vehicles were damaged amidst the early morning fire, but thankfully, there were no reported injuries.
Authorities also discovered three individuals who had been left behind in different cars right after two masked suspects managed to flee, as per sources.
Pictures from the scene displayed incendiary devices resembling those available in home improvement stores, specifically firestarter balls that were found near the vehicles.
“At the site, we observed three cars that were not set ablaze, yet the firestarter balls and hay bales were in proximity to their tires and windshields,” a source noted.
“In total, we identified 12 unlit firestarter balls and 10 lit hay bales, along with a torch-like lighter.”
As of Thursday afternoon, there had been no arrests in connection with the arson, nor were any clear motives established at that time.
A flyer was discovered attached to a police station wall, which criticized officers for disrupting Puerto Rican Day festivities on Sunday night and resulting in injuries among the revelers.
This flyer called for resistance against police, linking it to anti-ICE demonstrations that had spread from Los Angeles to New York City, along with global anti-Israel protests.
Investigators are currently seeking video evidence that might show the suspects’ movements after they left the parking lot.
Adams affirmed that those responsible for the arsons would eventually be held accountable, remarking, “This is a felony. It’s considered arson, and we’re going to treat it seriously.” He added a note of defiance against chaos in the city, insisting, “This kind of behavior is unacceptable.”
