Federal and local authorities in Idaho have arrested the suspect accused of attempting what officials describe as a domestic terror attack against a Department of Homeland Security and ICE facility in Meridian. After several days of investigation, 43 year old Sarah Elizabeth George of Boise was taken into custody Monday evening.
According to Meridian Police Chief Tracy Basterrechea, George allegedly stole a Canyon County Paramedics ambulance from outside St. Luke’s Hospital around 11:00 p.m. on February 18. Authorities say she then packed the vehicle with gas cans and poured accelerant inside before driving it into the south entrance of the Portico Building at 3330 E. Louise Drive. The building contains office space leased by the U.S. General Services Administration for DHS and ICE operations.
Breaking: Federal and local authorities have arrested the suspect accused of attempting to carry out an arson terror attack on the DHS/ICE office in Idaho.
Sarah Elizabeth George, 43, of Boise, allegedly staged gas cans, stole an ambulance, and intentionally crashed through the… pic.twitter.com/zCDK7hZVNd
— Katie Daviscourt 📸 (@KatieDaviscourt) February 24, 2026
Surveillance footage reportedly shows the ambulance crashing through the doors. Investigators allege George retrieved gas cans from the vehicle and poured gasoline throughout the lobby floor in an attempt to ignite the building. A Walmart bag containing lighter fluid and two red gasoline jugs was recovered at the scene.
Police Chief Basterrechea emphasized the seriousness of the incident. “We want to emphasize that this was a serious criminal act,” he said. “The theft and destruction of an emergency vehicle not only created a risk to responding personnel, but it also temporarily removed a critical medical resource from the community.” He also pushed back on rhetoric circulating online. “Comments on social media, such as ‘property damage isn’t violence,’ is absolutely false. This was absolutely an act of violence, and if the suspect had not been interrupted, there is no doubt this building would have been burned.”
The arrest followed a coordinated effort between the Meridian Police Department, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Chief Basterrechea praised investigators for working long hours over five days to identify and apprehend the suspect.
A federal criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho charges George with malicious destruction of government property by fire and malicious destruction of property used in interstate commerce. The affidavit from FBI Special Agent Daniel Ramirez outlines a detailed trail of evidence, including surveillance footage from Walmart showing a woman matching George’s description purchasing gas cans and lighter fluid hours before the attack. Additional footage from a Fred Meyer gas station reportedly shows the suspect filling gas cans and fueling a blue 2005 Dodge Dakota using a loyalty card in her name.
Investigators also cited social media posts critical of ICE and DHS, including one stating, “If it can be destroyed by the truth then it should be destroyed; it was built in lies anyways.” Authorities matched her driver’s license photo from a recent traffic stop to the suspect seen on video.
If convicted on federal arson and related charges, George could face decades in prison. Law enforcement officials have made clear they view this as a deliberate and dangerous act that put lives at risk.