US woman charged with ISIS-inspired plot to bomb New York State Capitol

Prosecutors say the suspect wanted to kill lawmakers before fleeing the country to join the jihadist group

A US woman has been charged with plotting to bomb the New York State Capitol building and then flee the country to join ISIS.

In a statement on Thursday, the US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York alleged that Samantha Bowie had pledged allegiance to Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL), a jihadist terrorist group.

Investigators alleged that Bowie posted extremist messages online, including praise for the 9/11 attacks, and said she wanted to “destroy as much of the building as possible and kill the senators while they are meeting.” She made several visits to the Capitol and took photographs in preparation for the attack, officials said.

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Bowie was detained on Wednesday after allegedly acquiring what she believed to be an explosive device. The Department of Justice and the FBI released a photo purportedly showing Bowie wearing black Islamic clothing that covered her face at a convenience store, where she allegedly bought items to make a bomb. Another photo purportedly showed Bowie taking a picture with her phone. Her face was not visible in either image.

“This arrest will send a strong message to anyone across the country who has been radicalized by our enemies,” First Assistant US Attorney John Sarcone III said.

There have been several IS-linked plots in the US in recent months. In April, two men were detained for allegedly throwing explosive devices at protesters outside Gracie Mansion, the residence of the mayor of New York. Police alleged that the suspects were IS supporters and that bomb-making equipment and instructions were found in a storage unit they owned.

In November, several men were charged in Michigan with plotting attacks on behalf of IS using AR-15 rifles and shotguns.