Illinois police arrest suspect in government bomb threats | News

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Illinois State Police have arrested a suspect in connection with a bomb threat to two government buildings in April.

Police arrested 23-year-old Gabrielle Williams on Thursday. This came after a weeks-long investigation into the threats using interviews and cellphone data.

Williams is currently being held in the Sangamon County Jail awaiting trial. She remains innocent until a jury finds her guilty.

ISP first learned of the threats on April 22, when the Illinois Department of Human Services alerted the police Statewide Terrorism and Intelligence Center. Officers alerted police to a threat at a public assistance office and at the state Capitol.

Police triggered the State Agency Facility and Employee (SAFE) Threat Protocol. The objectives of this plan are:

• Collect, assess and share threat intelligence
• Investigate threats against public officials, offices and leaders
• Ensure a comprehensive understanding of the reported material and results

“ISP took immediate action upon receiving information about this bomb threat and implemented our SAFE Threat Protocol,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “By deploying ISP resources as quickly as possible, our special agents can uncover critical information, identify suspects and make arrests. ISP and our law enforcement partners in Springfield take any threat seriously and will seek out and arrest those responsible for this criminal behavior.”

The Secretary of State’s Capitol Police (SOS) worked to ensure that the Capitol was clear and secure. ISP and the Springfield Police Department worked to stabilize the other building while waiting for the SOS team to arrive.

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