In a significant breakthrough, US authorities have reportedly made an arrest in connection with the attempted pipe bomb attack that preceded the storming of the US Capitol on 6 January 2021.
Devices Planted on Eve of Historic Riot
The case centres on two explosive devices that were strategically placed in Washington DC on the night of 5 January 2021. One pipe bomb was left in an alley beside the Republican National Committee headquarters, while a second was positioned on a park bench near the Democratic National Committee headquarters. The FBI, which had been investigating for over three years without an arrest, released a surveillance image of a person suspected of the attempted attack.
Arrest Follows Lengthy Investigation and Reward
According to reports from Reuters and CNN on Thursday morning, citing unnamed sources, a suspect is now in custody. This development comes after a prolonged investigation during which the FBI increased its reward for pivotal information to $500,000 in 2023. The bombs were discovered and rendered safe before they could cause harm, but their placement on the eve of a major political event sent shockwaves through the US security apparatus.
Context of the January 6 Attack
The attempted bombings occurred just hours before a mob of supporters of then-President Donald Trump violently stormed the US Capitol building. That attack on 6 January was an effort to disrupt the congressional certification of Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 presidential election. The simultaneous nature of the pipe bomb plot and the Capitol assault raised profound concerns about coordinated efforts to destabilise the US government.
While the newly reported arrest marks a crucial step, many details remain undisclosed as the investigation continues to unfold. Authorities have yet to publicly confirm the identity of the individual in custody or any potential motives linking the bomb plot to the wider events of that day.
