FBI Seeks Public Help to Identify Pipe Bomb Suspect from Capitol Attack Eve
January 3, 2025The suspect's movements were tracked through Capitol Hill on the night of January 5, with the first sighting at 7:34 p.m. and the last at 8:18 p.m., shortly before the bombs were discovered.
The FBI is actively seeking public assistance to identify the suspect who planted pipe bombs outside the Democratic and Republican National Committees on the eve of the Capitol attack in January 2021.
Surveillance footage shows the suspect wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, a face mask, black gloves, and distinctive Nike Air Max Speed Turf shoes, which were sold in limited quantities.
Fortunately, no injuries occurred from the attempted bombings, as the devices were safely rendered harmless before they could cause harm.
The bombs, constructed with galvanized pipes, kitchen timers, and homemade black powder, were discovered 15 hours later, diverting law enforcement resources during the Capitol riot.
The motive behind the bomb placement remains unclear, and conspiracy theories have emerged, particularly among Republican lawmakers and right-wing media, questioning security lapses that allowed the bombs to go undetected for 17 hours.
FBI Assistant Director David Sundberg emphasized the challenge of establishing motive without confirming the suspect's identity, noting the serious nature of the crime.
Despite changes in administration, the FBI remains committed to investigating the pipe bomb incident until a suspect is identified.
The FBI encourages anyone with information to contact them, emphasizing that even seemingly insignificant details could aid the investigation.
The investigation has lasted nearly four years, during which the FBI has evaluated over 600 tips, reviewed approximately 39,000 video files, and conducted around 1,000 interviews, yet the suspect remains unidentified.
On the same day the FBI released footage of the suspect, Republican-led House committees published a report criticizing the FBI's efforts to identify the suspect, highlighting ongoing security concerns.
Authorities believe that understanding the motive and connection to the January 6 certification delay hinges on identifying the suspect.
Summary based on 13 sources
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Sources
The Washington Post • Jan 3, 2025
FBI releases footage in unsolved pipe bomb case tied to Jan. 6, 2021Los Angeles Times • Jan 3, 2025
New video shows suspect placing bomb on eve of Capitol riot - Los Angeles Times