The FBI has released a new video showing the suspect who planted pipe bombs outside the Democratic National Committee and Republican National Committee offices in Washington, D.C. on January 5, 2021. The suspect is believed to be about 5-foot, 7-inches tall, and a reward of $500,000 is being offered for tips leading to an arrest. The attempted attack occurred on the eve of the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, but no clear link between the two events has been established. Without being able to confirm the suspect’s identity, establishing a motive has been difficult for investigators.
David Sundberg, assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Washington field office, mentioned that it is challenging to determine a motive without confirming the suspect’s identity. The suspect was wearing a grey hoodie, face mask, black gloves, and Nike Air Max Speed Turf shoes at the time of the attack. The FBI has assessed over 600 tips, reviewed about 39,000 video files, and conducted more than 1,000 interviews over the past four years. The new video footage shows the suspect placing the bombs near the DNC and RNC buildings, and the FBI is hoping that someone may recognize the suspect based on their attire.
No one was injured in the attempted attack, as the bombs were rendered safe. However, the FBI has stated that it could have been lethal. Vice President Kamala Harris and then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi were near the DNC office before the first bomb was discovered and deactivated on the afternoon of January 6, 2021. The suspect was last seen in surveillance footage walking past a row of D.C. houses with a backpack believed to have been used to transport the pipe bombs. The FBI continues to search for more information from the public in hopes of making an arrest.
The fact that investigators are unsure of the suspect’s gender makes it even harder to establish a clear motive for the crime. The suspect’s attire, including the Nike Air Max Speed Turf shoes, is one of the most distinctive features that investigators are hoping the public may recognize. The FBI is reaching out to the public for any information, as they believe there may still be someone out there who has crucial information related to the case. The FBI stated that they are asking anyone with information to come forward and share it with them, as even details that may seem insignificant could be helpful in cracking the case.
There has been no definitive link established between the attempted pipe bomb attack and the January 6th Capitol riot. Despite this, investigators are still working diligently to identify and apprehend the suspect. The release of the new video footage is an effort to stimulate new leads and information from the public. With a $500,000 reward still available, the FBI hopes that this will encourage individuals to come forward with any information they may have. The attempted attack on the DNC and RNC buildings could have had deadly consequences, and it is crucial for law enforcement to apprehend the suspect responsible to prevent any further acts of violence.
The investigation into the pipe bomb incident has involved the review of extensive amounts of evidence and interviews conducted over the past four years. The FBI is committed to bringing the perpetrator to justice and holding them accountable for their actions. The urgency of solving this case is emphasized by the potential danger that the explosives posed and the need to prevent similar incidents in the future. By releasing the new video and appealing to the public for assistance, the FBI aims to gather the necessary information to identify and apprehend the suspect behind the attempted attack on the DNC and RNC offices in Washington, D.C.
