Brooklyn Activist Pleads Guilty to Torching NYPD Vehicles

Jakhi McCray faces up to 20 years in prison for setting fire to 11 police cars last summer.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 11:19pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a charred NYPD vehicle part, such as a melted taillight, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.The aftermath of a fiery attack on NYPD vehicles exposes the high stakes and harsh realities of protest-driven property damage.Brooklyn Today

A 22-year-old Brooklyn activist named Jakhi McCray has pleaded guilty to setting fire to 11 empty NYPD vehicles in June 2026, causing $800,000 in damages. McCray, who has a history of arrests at pro-Palestinian protests, admitted to scaling a fence, torching the vehicles, and escaping through a hole in the fence, leaving behind evidence that led to his arrest a month later.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between law enforcement and activist groups, particularly around issues of racial justice and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The arson attack put first responders and nearby residents at risk, straining police resources meant to protect the community.

The details

According to prosecutors, McCray scaled a fence leading to a police parking lot in Brooklyn and set fire to 10 NYPD vehicles and a trailer. He was spotted by an officer but escaped through a hole in the fence, leaving behind a cigar lighter and sunglasses with his fingerprints. McCray turned himself in a month later.

  • On June 12, 2026, McCray allegedly set fire to the NYPD vehicles.
  • McCray turned himself in to police about a month later.

The players

Jakhi McCray

A 22-year-old Brooklyn activist with a history of arrests at pro-Palestinian protests.

Joseph Nocella

The U.S. Attorney who said McCray's actions put lives at risk and strained police resources.

Ron Kuby

The attorney representing McCray, who deferred comment to a collective of activists supporting McCray.

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What they’re saying

“By deliberately setting fire to multiple police vehicles in the pre-dawn hours, the defendant put at risk the lives of first responders and residents asleep in their beds nearby, and ultimately, strained resources meant to protect the community.”

— Joseph Nocella, U.S. Attorney

“I have been arrested 12 times previously and am frequently lied about by the press and police.”

— Jakhi McCray

What’s next

McCray faces a mandatory minimum of 5 years and up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between law enforcement and activist groups, particularly around issues of racial justice and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The arson attack put first responders and nearby residents at risk, straining police resources and raising questions about the appropriate balance between free speech, civil disobedience, and public safety.