New York Woman Charged Over Planned IS‑Inspired Attack on State Capitol

US authorities have arrested and charged a New York woman with planning an Islamic State‑inspired attack on the state capitol building in Albany, according to the Justice Department on Thursday.

Jessica Bowie, 35, of Albany, faces charges for plotting to place an explosive device at the capitol, aiming to kill public officials and cause extensive damage to the building before fleeing to IS‑controlled territory in Syria, said John A. Eisenberg, Assistant Attorney General for National Security.

Bowie was taken into custody on Wednesday after obtaining what she believed to be an explosive device, the Justice Department reported.

Investigators said she visited the capitol grounds and took photographs of the building.

Describing the capitol as her target, Bowie said she wanted the attack to influence the American system, the Justice Department noted. She also posted anti‑American messages online, praising the September 11 attacks in which al‑Qaeda hijackers crashed airliners into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Bowie’s attorney could not be reached for comment.

After Bowie’s arrest, New York Governor Kathy Hochul said the state has increased security at the capitol and throughout state government in response to a rise in political violence and threats against public officials.

“There is no immediate threat at this time, but we will continue working closely with our law enforcement partners to protect New Yorkers and keep our communities safe,” she said in a statement.

Source link