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A chilling chapter in American history remains shrouded in mystery: Who was responsible for planting pipe bombs near the Democratic and Republican National Committee offices in Washington, D.C., on the eve of the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot?
In an effort to generate new leads from the public, the FBI is unveiling new details about the investigation into the pipe bombs, including a description of the suspect as approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall. Additionally, the bureau is sharing previously unreleased footage of the suspect placing one of the bombs.
Several crucial questions remain unanswered four years later. Investigators are still unsure whether the suspect is male or female, and they have yet to establish a definitive connection between the bombs and the violent Capitol attack carried out by supporters of then-President Donald Trump.
David Sundberg, assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Washington field office, emphasized the difficulty of making assumptions without confirming the suspect’s identity: “Without being able to confirm the suspect’s identity, it is very hard to definitively establish motive.” He added that while no link has been confirmed, investigators are still open to the possibility.
The investigation has been marked by speculation, with some Republican lawmakers and right-wing media outlets pushing conspiracy theories regarding the pipe bombs. Many have also criticized law enforcement’s failure to detect the bombs for 17 hours before they were discovered.
“We remain focused on conducting an investigation using all of the tools at our disposal,” Sundberg stated. “But it is incumbent upon us to follow facts and evidence.”
Over the past four years, the FBI has evaluated over 600 tips, reviewed approximately 39,000 video files, and conducted more than 1,000 interviews. Surveillance footage shows the suspect dressed in a gray hooded sweatshirt, black gloves, a face mask, and distinctive Nike Air Max Speed Turf shoes with a yellow logo. The individual also carried a backpack containing the bombs.
The suspect planted the bombs outside the DNC and RNC offices between 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on January 5, 2021. While no injuries occurred, both devices were deemed potentially deadly.
At the time, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris was inside the DNC offices when the bomb was discovered. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s motorcade also passed by the DNC building during her evacuation from the Capitol.
This week, the FBI released a new video showing the suspect sitting on a park bench outside the DNC before placing the first bomb around 7:54 p.m. The second bomb was planted about 20 minutes later near the RNC.
Additionally, the FBI has shared close-up images of the suspect’s distinctive Nike shoes. Fewer than 25,000 pairs of these shoes were sold between August 2018 and January 2021, providing a potential lead.
Sundberg noted that while the suspect took measures to blend in with the crowd during the COVID-19 pandemic, the FBI remains committed to solving the case. “The suspect did a very good job covering themselves up at a time that this would not be abnormal,” he explained.
Video footage of the suspect was sporadic and often of low quality. The 17-hour delay in the discovery of the bombs made it more challenging to find potential witnesses.
A reward of up to $500,000 is still offered for information leading to the suspect’s arrest and conviction.
Despite the changing political landscape, with President-elect Trump’s promise to pardon some of the January 6 rioters, Sundberg assured that the FBI’s investigation into the pipe bombs would continue. “We don’t know who the suspect is,” he said. “And I expect that we will continue to work this case until its logical conclusion and we identify a suspect.”
For more details https://apnews.com/article/capitol-riot-pipe-bombs-fbi-washington-ea85b6fe5fe9140f1c75b7ee8c0554b2
