Woman alleged to have set Peoria apartment on fire over government shutdown anger indicted

PEORIA, Ill. – A Peoria County grand jury has indicted a woman who allegedly set her apartment on fire due to anger from the government shutdown.

45-year-old Vanessa Walker was indicted Tuesday for Aggravated Arson and Residential Arson.

The incident reportedly occurred on November 3rd at an apartment complex on Northeast Madison.

Walker allegedly admitted during questioning to lighting a piece of Styrofoam on fire, which spread to her couch, and stated she was upset over the shutdown.

The fire was only in Walker’s apartment, but it left four other apartments with damage and displaced four residents.

She is due back in court on December 4th.