In a significant development five years after the event, the FBI has identified and arrested a suspect in connection with pipe bombs placed around Washington DC on the eve of the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots. Brian Cole, a resident of Woodbridge, Virginia, was named as the suspect and taken into custody in the early hours of Thursday morning.
The Five-Year Investigation and a Stalling Breakthrough
The arrest marks the first major breakthrough in a case that has long baffled federal investigators and fuelled numerous conspiracy theories. The devices, which did not detonate, were discovered outside the headquarters of both the Democratic and Republican National Committees on January 6, 2021, just hours before crowds descended on the Capitol.
Law enforcement sources indicate that the arrest may prove embarrassing for the FBI, as it reportedly came not from a new lead but from a review of existing evidence collected in 2021 and 2022. This suggests the suspect could potentially have been identified years earlier if the evidence had been pieced together differently.
Surveillance Footage and the Night of the Plot
Authorities had previously released surveillance footage showing a hooded suspect in a grey sweatshirt, face mask, glasses, and distinctive black and grey Nike trainers with a yellow logo. The video depicted the individual placing a backpack on South Capitol Street before moving to the DNC headquarters at 7:54 pm and the RNC headquarters at 8:16 pm on January 5, 2021.
The homemade explosive devices were constructed from:
- Threaded galvanized pipes
- Kitchen timers
- Homemade black powder
They were rendered safe by bomb technicians, and no injuries were reported. The arrest comes just weeks after the FBI increased pressure by offering a $500,000 reward for information leading to the suspect's identification.
Ideological Links and Ongoing Legal Proceedings
Sources have told media outlets that Cole is believed to be linked to support for anarchist ideologies. While the exact charges are yet to be fully detailed, he has been charged with laying the explosives. Cole is expected to appear in court later on Thursday.
The lengthy investigation was one of the largest in FBI history and involved painstaking efforts, including subpoenaing retailers for data on purchases of specific battery connectors used in the bombs. Despite tracking phones near the locations, no credible match was found until now.
This arrest is likely to draw significant political attention, particularly from figures like Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino, who had previously speculated about the case and expressed a strong desire to see it solved. It also serves to debunk recent false conspiracy theories that had wrongly accused a former Capitol Police officer of the crime.
