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

Key Points:

• Jessica Bowie, a 35-year-old woman from Albany, New York, was arrested by the FBI for allegedly planning to bomb the state capitol building to kill lawmakers, motivated by her pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group (IS).
• Bowie had conducted multiple surveillance visits to the capitol and was caught carrying a fake bomb and a defective gun, both provided by undercover agents during the investigation.
• Prosecutors revealed Bowie intended to conceal her bomb in a food delivery bag and had been supplied with $200 to purchase bomb-making materials, including nails intended to act as shrapnel.
• She communicated with FBI informants and undercover agents posing as IS members, expressing a desire to impact the American system and praising the 9/11 terror attacks on social media, where she had been banned from several platforms.
• New York Governor Kathy Hochul commended the FBI and state police for apprehending Bowie, highlighting the successful prevention of a potentially deadly attack.