The FBI is still investigating who planted pipe bombs outside the Democratic and Republican national committees in Washington on the eve of the Capitol attack on January 6, 2021. The suspect, who remains unidentified, is estimated to be about 5 feet 7 inches tall. Despite the release of new information and surveillance video showing the suspect placing one of the bombs, key questions about the suspect’s gender and motive remain unanswered. Republican lawmakers and right-wing media outlets have propagated conspiracy theories about the pipe bombs and criticized security lapses that allowed them to go undetected for 17 hours.
The FBI has received over 600 tips, reviewed 39,000 video files, and conducted more than 1,000 interviews in the past four years in connection with the pipe bomb investigation. The suspect, who was seen wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, a face mask, black gloves, and a pair of Nike Air Max Speed Turf shoes with a yellow logo, placed the bombs near the committees’ offices on the evening of January 5, 2021. While no one was injured, the FBI believes both devices were lethal. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris was inside the DNC offices when one of the bombs was found, and then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s motorcade passed by the DNC building while she was being evacuated from the Capitol.
Surveillance footage shows the suspect sitting on a park bench outside the DNC before placing the first bomb at around 7:54 p.m. The suspect then placed the second bomb in an alley behind the RNC at approximately 8:16 p.m. The FBI is releasing closeup images of the suspect’s Nike sneakers, which were sold in limited quantities between August 2018 and January 2021. The bureau is hoping that someone may recognize the distinctive shoes and come forward with information. Despite the challenges posed by the suspect’s disguises and the poor quality of some surveillance footage, the FBI remains committed to solving the case.
Authorities had previously offered a reward of up to $500,000 for information leading to the suspect’s arrest and conviction, but the individual responsible for the pipe bombs remains at large. President-elect Trump has pledged to pardon some of the rioters who stormed the Capitol on January 6, and over 1,500 individuals have been charged in connection with the events of that day. While more than 1,100 defendants have been convicted and sentenced, the FBI continues to pursue leads in the pipe bomb investigation. The change in administration is not expected to impact the course of the investigation as the bureau remains focused on identifying the suspect and determining their motives.
