Springfield Woman Arrested Over Bomb Threat At Illinois State Capitol

SPRINGFIELD, IL — State police arrested a Springfield woman in connection with one of three bomb threats leveled against Illinois State Capitol in the past two months.

Gabrielle Williams, 23, has been detained at the Sangamon County Jail, where she awaits a pretrial detention hearing, police said.

Williams faces one count of disorderly conduct, a class 3 felony when it involves a bomb threat, over an April 22 incident.

State police said Williams placed a call to the Illinois Department of Human Services that day to report that there was a bomb in the Illinois State Capitol as well as a public aid office building.

The Capitol was evacuated and cleared by the secretary of state's police force, and Illinois State Police special agents opened an investigation. State police said they identified Williams through cellular information and interviews.

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Illinois State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly said his agency activated its threat protocol immediately after learning about the threat.

“Deploying ISP resources as quickly as possible allows our special agents to track down crucial information, identify suspects, and make arrests," Kelly said in a statement. "ISP and our law enforcement partners in Springfield take every threat seriously and will track down and arrest those responsible for this criminal conduct.”

State police said they have submitted paperwork declaring Williams to be a "clear and present danger," which would prevent her from legally purchasing or possessing a gun.

Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, whose office is responsible for securing the state Capital, thanked state and local police for their collaboration during the investigation.

“We take the security of the Capitol Complex and the safety of its employees, public officials, and visitors extremely seriously," Giannoulias said. "We will never tolerate threats of violence and will do everything within our power to hold those responsible and accountable for their actions.”

There were at least two prior threats to the Capitol prior to the bomb threat Williams is charged with having made.

One took place on the afternoon of March 12, while the other occurred on April 21, the day before Williams allegedly called in a bomb threat to state human services officials.