Queens Man Pleads Guilty to Firebombing Apartment Building in Flushing

Press Release

One Firefighter Was Injured in a Partial Ceiling Collapse and Another Suffered First-Degree Burns Battling the Blaze

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Atahualpa Rodriguez pleaded guilty to committing arson of an apartment building in Flushing, Queens. The proceeding was held before United States District Judge Allyne R. Ross. When sentenced, Rodriguez faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Robert S. Tucker, Commissioner New York City Fire Department (FDNY), and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the guilty plea.

"Today, the defendant admitted that he deliberately set fire to an apartment building in the pre-dawn darkness while many tenants slept, causing the destruction of one apartment unit, damage to surrounding units and injuries to the brave first responders who battled the blaze," stated United States Attorney Peace. "His actions showed complete disregard for human life and placed hundreds of people in grave danger over a personal dispute. Rodriguez will now face just punishment for his actions."

"Deliberately setting a fire is an egregious crime that deserves severe punishment," said FDNY Commissioner Tucker. "In this case, three of our firefighters were injured due to this unspeakable crime. We want to thank the NYPD's Arson and Explosion Squad along with FDNY fire marshals and ATF agents for their diligent and swift work in this case. We are relieved Atahualpa Rodriguez will no longer be on our city's streets."

"Deliberate criminal activity, such as the type Mr. Rodriguez pleaded guilty to today, poses a significant threat to both first responders and private citizens and goes against everything that New York City stands for," stated NYPD Commissioner Tisch. "I am grateful that the injuries sustained by our FDNY colleagues were not more severe, and I commend them for their dedication in maintaining the safety of all New Yorkers. I also thank our partners at the office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York for their diligent efforts in ensuring that criminal actions are met with appropriate consequences."

According to court filings and facts presented during the plea proceeding, on January 11, 2024, Rodriguez was in a dispute with the tenants of one unit in the building. On January 12, 2024, Rodriguez firebombed the multi-story building on Parsons Boulevard in Flushing, Queens, which contained approximately 175 units and hundreds of tenants. At approximately 4:40 a.m. on January, a resident of the targeted apartment unit awoke to the sound of breaking glass and heard a voice state: "F-k you all." The resident walked out of the bedroom and saw the fire ignited by the defendant. One firefighter was injured when a section of ceiling collapsed on him, another suffered first-degree burns and a third was hospitalized after breathing contaminated air. The fire caused approximately $1 million in damages and completely destroyed the targeted apartment unit, as depicted below.

Assistant United States Attorney Adam Amir is in charge of the prosecution.

The Defendant:

ATAHUALPA RODRIGUEZ
Age: 50
Flushing, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 23-CR-266 (ARR)

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Updated December 4, 2024