Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Saturday morning that federal authorities have taken into custody the man suspected of attacking the office of U.S. Attorney Alina Habba in Newark, New Jersey, earlier this week.
The suspect, identified by the FBI as Keith Michael Lisa, was apprehended through coordinated efforts by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Marshals Service, and Homeland Security Investigations. The arrest came less than forty-eight hours after federal authorities publicly identified Lisa as their primary suspect.
“No one will get away with threatening or intimidating our great U.S. Attorneys or the destruction of their offices,” Bondi stated in her announcement of the arrest.
According to the FBI, the incident occurred on November 12, 2025, when Lisa allegedly entered the Peter W. Rodino Federal Building in Newark while carrying a bat. After being denied entry with the weapon, investigators say he discarded the bat and returned to the building. Once inside, he proceeded to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, where he allegedly damaged government property.
A federal arrest warrant was issued for Lisa on Thursday by the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. He faces charges of possession of a dangerous weapon in a federal facility and depredation of federal property.
U.S. Attorney Habba, who was not physically harmed in the incident, responded to the arrest on Saturday. “We got him,” she stated. “This Justice Department under Attorney General Pam Bondi and our federal partners will not tolerate any acts of intimidation or violence toward law enforcement. Now justice will handle him.”
FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized the significance of the swift arrest. “Today’s arrest shows what coordinated federal law enforcement can do,” Patel said. “Threats against our U.S. Attorneys are not just attacks on individuals, they are attacks on the rule of law. And we will respond every time.”
The incident, which occurred Wednesday evening, prompted immediate action from federal law enforcement. Attorney General Bondi had announced Thursday that an individual had attempted to confront Habba, destroyed property in her office, and then fled the scene.
Bondi characterized the incident as part of a disturbing pattern. “This is unfortunately becoming a trend as radicals continue to attack law enforcement agents around the country,” she said. “Any violence or threats of violence against any federal officer will not be tolerated. Period.”
The rapid apprehension of the suspect demonstrates the federal government’s commitment to protecting its law enforcement officers and maintaining the integrity of federal facilities. The case now moves forward through the federal court system, where Lisa will face the charges against him.
The investigation remains ongoing, and federal authorities have not disclosed whether they believe Lisa acted alone or as part of a broader conspiracy. What is clear is that federal law enforcement agencies responded with swift and coordinated action to protect one of their own and to send a clear message that attacks on federal officers will be met with the full force of the law.
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