Brooklyn activist pleads guilty to setting fire to 11 NYPD vehicles

Jakhi McCray faces 5 to 20 years in prison for $800,000 in damage to police cars

Apr. 9, 2026 at 1:06am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a charred police vehicle door handle, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the damage and gritty investigation of an arson attack on NYPD property.The aftermath of a pre-dawn arson attack that damaged 11 NYPD vehicles, exposing the escalating tensions between law enforcement and activist groups in New York City.NYC Today

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

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between law enforcement and activist groups in New York City, with McCray's supporters describing him as a "dedicated organizer" while prosecutors say he put lives at risk and strained police resources. The incident also raises questions about security measures for police vehicle storage and the potential for escalating confrontations between authorities and protesters.

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, and his attorney deferred comment to a collective of activists supporting him.

  • The arson incident occurred on June 12, 2026.
  • McCray turned himself in to police about a month after the incident.

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 empty NYPD vehicles in June 2026.

Joseph Nocella

The U.S. Attorney who said McCray's actions put lives 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 groups in New York City, with McCray's supporters defending his actions as part of his advocacy work, while prosecutors argue his arson put lives at risk and strained police resources. The incident raises questions about security measures for police vehicle storage and the potential for escalating confrontations between authorities and protesters.