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The New York State Capitol, located in Albany, houses both chambers of the state legislature and is the main government building of New York state.
Jessica Bowie, 35, of Albany, was charged with planning to deploy an explosive device at the state capitol. (Photo: US Justice Dept)
US authorities have charged a New York woman with a terrorism offence after she allegedly told an FBI informant that she wanted to destroy the New York State Capitol and kill senators during a legislative meeting.
Jessica Bowie, 35, was charged with attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organisation, according to court filings. The New York State Capitol, located in Albany, houses both chambers of the state legislature and is the main government building of New York state.
Bowie allegedly became a vocal online supporter of Islamic State (IS), posting anti-American messages and expressing support for the September 11, 2001 attacks. She is also accused of telling an FBI informant that she supported the group and seeking advice on how to make explosives.
‘Destroy As Much Of The Building As Possible’
According to the criminal complaint, Bowie told the informant she planned to visit the Capitol grounds and observe security measures. She allegedly said she would have picnics near the building to study the site.
In messages on an encrypted app, she allegedly wrote: “I want to destroy as much of the building as possible and kill the senators while they are meeting. I want them to lose a lot of important documents as well.”
She also said she wanted to destroy important documents and have an “affect on the American system”.
Bowie allegedly considered posing as a food delivery worker to gain access to the building and plant a bomb before fleeing to Syria. She also reportedly suggested returning to the US to target other high-profile locations, including New York’s Times Square.
FBI Says Plot Was In Advanced Stages
According to FBI Director Kash Patel, Bowie had conducted surveillance at the state Capitol at least five times and had bought materials to make an explosive device.
Court filings say she obtained a DoorDash bag and bomb-making components, including nails that could be used as shrapnel. She was arrested by FBI agents on August 19.
“She wanted to ‘destroy as much of the building as possible’ and ‘kill the Senators while they are meeting’,” Patel said in a post on X.
Bowie was due to appear in court on Thursday. Her lawyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Patel said the FBI had disrupted more than 400 alleged attacks in the US and abroad in 2026, calling the New York case the latest example of the agency stopping an alleged terrorist plot.
“For any individual who may be considering harming Americans in the future: know that we will find you,” Patel noted.
(With inputs from agencies)
Key Questions Answered
Ask News18Jessica Bowie’s alleged motive for the plot was her vocal online support for Islamic State (IS), posting anti-American messages, and expressing support for the September 11, 2001 attacks.
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United States of America (USA)
August 21, 2026, 02:32 IST
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