Illinois State Police investigation into a bomb threat to two state buildings leads to an arrest

Following a detailed investigation by Illinois State Police (ISP) into a bomb threat to two state facilities in Springfield last month, 23-year-old Gabrielle Williams was arrested on May 9, 2024.

On April 22, 2024, the Illinois Department of Human Services received a call reporting that a bomb had been planted at a public assistance office building and at the Illinois State Capitol. The threat was reported to the ISP Statewide Terrorism and Intelligence Center, which activated the State Agency Facility and Employee (SAFE) Threat Protocol. The Secretary of State’s Capitol Police (SOS) and its Hazardous Devices Division immediately secured the Capitol grounds, while ISP and the Springfield Police Department provided security at the other facility until cleared by the SOS Hazardous Devices Division . SAFE Threat Protocol also initiated an investigation by ISP special agents who used cell phone data and interviews to identify and locate the suspect.

Williams is currently incarcerated at the Sangamon County Jail awaiting a detention hearing.