FBI arrests woman over alleged plot to bomb New York capitol building

The FBI has arrested a New York woman who was allegedly planning to bomb the state capitol building in Albany to kill lawmakers.

Prosecutors allege that Jessica Bowie, 35, had previously pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group (IS). She is charged with providing material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organisation.

Bowie had "repeatedly surveilled the building" in advance, and was carrying a fake bomb and a defective gun, which had been supplied to her by undercover agents, prosecutors said.

"I want to destroy as much of the building as possible and kill the senators," Bowie allegedly told the agents, according to the criminal complaint.

It is unclear whether she plans to fight the charges.

Bowie, from Albany in upstate New York, had allegedly discussed her plans with FBI informants and spent weeks with agents posing as IS members.

She selected the New York statehouse in Albany because she thought it would be an easier target than the White House, prosecutors say.

"I want it to have an affect on the American system," she allegedly told agents. Prosecutors say she visited the building at least five times on reconnaissance missions ahead of the attack.

As part of her plot, she planned to use a food delivery bag to hide her bomb, officials say. The charging documents include an image of the DoorDash bag she brought to agents.

Agents allegedly also gave Bowie $200 (£147) to buy bomb making material from a local hardware store. They drove her to the Home Depot store, and when she emerged from the store she allegedly said she hoped those were the right kind of nails.

"I hope the nails are big enough... because the nails work as shrapnel, right?" she allegedly told the two undercover operatives.

She was arrested on Wednesday, and was also found carrying knives, and a written oath of allegiance to IS, according to the complaint.

She is a "frequent social media user" who has used the platforms to "espouse anti-American messages", according to a charging document filed by the FBI on Thursday.

The document says she has been banned from several platforms for violating their terms of service, adding that she had also used social media to praise the 11 September 2001 terror attacks by al-Qaeda.

During the investigation, she allegedly told agents she had converted to Islam around five years ago. She also allegedly stated that "she went from a little girl waving an American flag after 9/11 to now having stickers of the falling towers".

"I'm grateful to the FBI for leading this investigation and to the New York State Police for their work to apprehend this dangerous individual," New York Governor Kathy Hochul wrote on X.

"Earlier this year, amid a rise in political violence and threats against public officials, we took steps to strengthen security at the State Capitol and across state government."