FBI Releases New Video of Jan. 5 Pipe Bomb Suspect and Offers $500K Reward
The FBI has recently released a new video that allegedly shows the suspect responsible for planting pipe bombs outside the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and Republican National Committee (RNC) offices in Washington, D.C. on January 5, 2021. The release of the video is part of a renewed effort by the FBI to gather information and tips from the public, as the fourth anniversary of the crime approaches.
The video, which includes footage of the suspect, also reveals that the individual is believed to be around 5 feet 7 inches tall, hoping that this detail will trigger new leads. In order to incentivize the public to come forward with any valuable information, the FBI has emphasized that a $500,000 reward is still available for tips that lead to an arrest.
It is important to note that the attempted attack occurred on the eve of the infamous January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. However, at this time, there is no clear link between the two events. David Sundberg, assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Washington field office, highlights the challenge of establishing a motive without confirming the suspect’s identity. While he acknowledges the possibility of a connection, he also states that it is difficult to definitively establish one.
Investigators are currently uncertain about the suspect’s gender. The individual was seen wearing a grey hoodie, face mask, black gloves, and Nike Air Max Speed Turf shoes during the incident. The FBI notes that less than 25,000 pairs of these shoes were sold between August 2018 and the time of the attack, making them a distinctive feature that could potentially aid in identifying the suspect.
Over the past four years, the FBI has dedicated significant resources to the investigation, including assessing over 600 tips, reviewing approximately 39,000 video files, and conducting more than 1,000 interviews. Despite these efforts, the suspect remains unidentified.
The newly released video captures the suspect placing the first bomb near a bench outside the DNC building shortly before 8 p.m. The footage also shows the suspect placing the second bomb in an alley behind the RNC building around 8:16 p.m. Two minutes later, the suspect is seen walking past a row of houses in D.C. while wearing a backpack, which investigators believe was used to transport the pipe bombs.
The FBI hopes that the release of the video will encourage individuals who may possess crucial information to come forward. The agency emphasizes that any information, no matter how seemingly insignificant, could be vital to the case.
Fortunately, no one was injured in the attempted attack, as the bombs were safely rendered inert. However, the FBI emphasizes that the potential for harm was significant.
Given the proximity of Vice President Kamala Harris and then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to the DNC office before the discovery and deactivation of the first bomb on the afternoon of January 6, the seriousness of the situation cannot be understated.
If you have any information related to this case, please contact the FBI immediately.
