Brooklyn Activist Pleads Guilty to Setting Fire to 11 NYPD Vehicles

Jakhi McCray faces 5-20 years in prison for arson spree that caused $800,000 in damage

Apr. 9, 2026 at 5:18am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a charred and twisted car part, such as a melted side mirror or hubcap, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the aftermath of a fiery attack on police vehicles.The aftermath of a fiery attack on NYPD vehicles exposes the escalating tensions between law enforcement and activist communities in New York City.Brooklyn Today

A 22-year-old Brooklyn activist named Jakhi McCray has pleaded guilty to setting fire to 11 empty NYPD vehicles last summer, causing $800,000 in damage. McCray, who has a history of arrests at pro-Palestinian protests, admitted to scaling a fence and torching the vehicles in a pre-dawn arson spree before escaping through a hole in the fence.

Why it matters

The incident highlights ongoing tensions between law enforcement and activist communities in New York City, particularly around issues of racial justice and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. McCray's case also raises questions about the appropriate response to property destruction and the balance between free speech and public safety.

The details

According to prosecutors, McCray set fire to 10 NYPD vehicles and a trailer in a police parking lot in Brooklyn on June 12. He was spotted by an NYPD officer but managed to escape, leaving behind a cigar lighter and pair of sunglasses with his fingerprints. McCray turned himself in to police a month later.

  • The arson incident occurred on June 12, 2026.
  • McCray turned himself in to police a month later, in July 2026.

The players

Jakhi McCray

A 22-year-old Brooklyn activist with a history of arrests at pro-Palestinian protests, who pleaded guilty to setting fire to 11 NYPD vehicles in June 2026.

Joseph Nocella

The U.S. Attorney who stated that McCray's actions put the lives of first responders and residents at risk and strained police resources meant to protect the community.

Ron Kuby

The attorney for Jakhi 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

“Jakhi McCray is a dedicated organizer, activist, and community member whose work has touched countless lives.”

— Support Committee for Jakhi McCray

What’s next

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

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between law enforcement and activist communities in New York City, particularly around issues of racial justice and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It raises questions about the appropriate response to property destruction and the balance between free speech and public safety.