A New York woman, identified as Jessica Bowie, 35, was arrested for allegedly plotting to bomb the New York State Capitol building, with federal authorities revealing she also discussed targeting the White House and Times Square during New Year's Eve celebrations. Bowie, who converted to Islam five years ago and used the name "Aisha Saif," was taken into custody in Albany after the FBI thwarted her plan to detonate a bomb, reportedly concealed in a DoorDash food delivery bag, at the Capitol on a day with high senator attendance.
According to her federal complaint, Bowie expressed a desire to carry out more attacks if the Capitol bombing was successful and she evaded capture. She allegedly mentioned the White House as a preferred target but acknowledged it would be a more difficult operation, stating, "Maybe in the future we go back for that." Bowie also discussed targeting the New Year's Eve festivities in Times Square, a popular event drawing up to one million tourists.
Bowie specifically chose the State Capitol because it was "the biggest political building that I know of around that area," the complaint stated. Law enforcement had Bowie under surveillance for five weeks leading up to her arrest, believing she was radicalized online. During her arrest, she allegedly told FBI agents, "There’s no helping me, you guys know enough, there’s no helping me, I’m…going to prison for the rest of my life."
On August 5, Bowie reportedly purchased materials to construct an explosive device from a Home Depot in Rensselaer, New York, while wearing a burqa. Images show her at a self-checkout counter with a large plastic bin filled with nails in her shopping cart. She allegedly paid an informant $200 to assist a bombmaker with funding for future explosives, indicating a wish to "fund a big operation."
First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated at a press conference that Bowie's plot aimed to cause maximum casualties, with her estimating she could kill at least half of the 200 people in the Capitol building. Bowie also planned an escape route to Syria, with the possibility of returning to the U.S. for further attacks.
This incident follows another recent case in upstate New York, where Catherine Beth Washburn, 37, was charged with supporting a terrorist organization after allegedly donating cryptocurrency to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group. Governor Kathy Hochul commended the FBI and law enforcement for their efforts in preventing Bowie's alleged attack, emphasizing ongoing efforts to ensure public safety amid a rise in threats against public officials.