Federal officials have arrested 51-year-old Keith Michael Lisa, the man accused of attacking and ransacking the Newark office of Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba earlier this week. The arrest followed a multi-day manhunt involving the FBI, U.S. Marshals, and Homeland Security Investigations.
Authorities say Lisa first attempted to enter the Peter W. Rodino Federal Building on Wednesday while carrying a baseball bat. After being refused entry, he discarded the weapon, returned, and entered the U.S. Attorney’s Office suite, where he damaged federal property before fleeing.
Announcing the arrest, Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a sharp warning:Thanks to the great work of @FBI, @USMarshalsHQ, and @HSI_HQ the suspect wanted in the attack on @USAttyHabba’s office is now in custody. No one will get away with threatening or intimidating our great US Attorneys or the destruction of their offices.
Habba thanked federal agents for quickly tracking down the suspect:
We got him. This @TheJusticeDept under @AGPamBondi and our federal partners will not tolerate any acts of intimidation or violence toward law enforcement. So grateful to @FBI, @HSI_HQ and @USMarshalsHQ for their tireless work to capture him. Now justice will handle him.
The FBI had posted a $25,000 reward for Lisa’s capture and warned that he “should be considered dangerous,” with ties to New York City and Mahwah, New Jersey. FBI Director Kash Patel described the threat as an attack on the rule of law:
BREAKING: The leftist terrorist who tried to ambush US Attorney Alina Habba has just been ARRESTED, AG Bondi saysFBI DIRECTOR PATEL: “Threats against our U.S. Attorneys aren’t just attacks on individuals, they’re attacks on the rule of law. And we will respond every time.” LOCK HIM UP.
Bondi previously confirmed that the suspect attempted to confront Habba directly and “destroyed property in her office” before escaping.
Kayleigh McEnany also reposted Habba’s reaction, noting her account of how the attacker managed to get inside:
“He got into the building. It was frightening.” @AlinaHabba on the arrest of the suspect who allegedly attacked her office. Prayers for Alina and those serving in public office!
According to the FBI bulletin, Lisa is charged with possession of a dangerous weapon in a federal facility and depredation of federal property. Investigators have not publicly discussed a motive.
Habba, appointed by President Trump, has clashed repeatedly with Democratic officials and previously faced legal challenges regarding her acting appointment. After the attack, she stated that she “will not be intimidated.”
The attack on Habba’s office comes amid a growing wave of political violence and intimidation directed at federal officers, prosecutors, judges, and Republican-aligned public officials and commentators. Bondi herself warned that this is “becoming a trend as radicals continue to attack law enforcement agents around the country.”
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