Jan 7, 2025 Story by: Editor
The FBI has released new information in its ongoing efforts to identify the individual who planted pipe bombs in Washington, D.C., on the evening of January 5, 2021, just one day before the U.S. Capitol riot. Despite years of investigation, the case remains unsolved.
Officials report that the bombs, placed near the Republican National Committee (RNC) and Democratic National Committee (DNC) headquarters, did not detonate. Since the discovery, the FBI has conducted 1,000 interviews, reviewed 39,000 video files, and processed around 600 tips. However, the suspect continues to evade capture, even with a $500,000 reward offered for information leading to their arrest and conviction.
For the first time, the FBI has disclosed a height estimate for the suspect, who is believed to be about 5 feet 7 inches tall. Additionally, new footage has been released showing the individual planting a bomb outside the DNC. “This case involves an unknown person placing two pipe bombs that could have killed someone, not just near the Democratic and Republican National Committee headquarters, but in a neighborhood, a place where people live, a place where people work,” said David Sundberg, assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, during an interview this week. “This is not something that the FBI is going to let go of. We simply can’t have a case that we stop working that involves someone placing explosive devices inside a neighborhood in any American town or city.”
The suspect’s attire has made identification challenging. They were wearing a medical mask, a gray hooded sweatshirt, and black gloves, offering little in the way of unique identifiers. However, the FBI has highlighted their shoes: black and light gray Nike Air Max sneakers featuring a yellow logo. Investigators note that only about 25,000 pairs of this specific model were sold by early 2021.
Authorities say solving the case is crucial not only to identify the motive but also to determine whether the act was connected to the attempts to delay the certification of the 2020 presidential election in Congress. “We are convinced there are people that still know something,” Sundberg stated. “And over four years, allegiances might change. Relationships might change. People might recognize that what doesn’t seem as important to them might be a piece of this investigation that we could really use.”
The FBI continues to seek public assistance, encouraging anyone with information to contact them via phone at 1-800-CALL-FBI or online at tips.fbi.gov. Submissions can be made anonymously.
The case bears similarities to other long-running bombing investigations. Eric Rudolph, responsible for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics bombing, avoided capture until 2003. Similarly, the infamous Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski, eluded authorities for nearly two decades until his brother recognized his writings and provided a critical tip. Kaczynski later pleaded guilty and died by suicide in federal prison in 2023. Source: NPR
