Federal authorities have arrested a Virginia man linked to the pipe bombs left outside the Republican and Democratic National Committee headquarters on the night of Jan. 5, 2021 — devices discovered the following afternoon as the Capitol came under assault. The arrest, confirmed by multiple law enforcement sources including CNN, marks a major turning point in a case that has challenged investigators for nearly five years.
The suspect has been identified as 30-year-old Brian Cole Jr. of Woodbridge, Virginia. He was taken into custody Thursday morning and charged with transporting an explosive device and attempted malicious destruction by means of explosive materials, according to charging documents filed Thursday afternoon. Attorney General Pam Bondi credited investigators and prosecutors for “sifting through evidence that had been sitting at the FBI,” adding that “this investigation is ongoing. As we speak, search warrants are being executed, and there could be more charges to come.”
The bombs — constructed from short galvanized pipes packed with homemade black powder, wires, metal clips, and fitted with kitchen timers — were placed outside both party headquarters roughly 15 hours before they were found. Investigators have long warned the devices were fully capable of causing “serious injury or death.” Their discovery prompted a swift police response just minutes before rioters began overwhelming security lines at the U.S. Capitol.
Surveillance footage released over the years showed a hooded figure in a mask and Nike Air Max Speed Turf sneakers with a yellow logo. Investigators noted what appeared to be an unusual or pronounced gait, but the lack of clearer identifiers hampered progress even after more than 1,000 interviews, a review of tens of thousands of video files, and more than 600 public tips. At times, the FBI could not even determine the suspect’s gender. The reward for information eventually climbed to $500,000.
The bomb at the DNC was discovered after former Vice President Kamala Harris had arrived at the building. A Homeland Security inspector general’s report later revealed that Harris entered via a ramp within 20 feet of the device and remained inside for about 1 hour and 40 minutes before it was found and she was evacuated. The bomb’s placement was roughly nine feet from the building’s exterior wall.
The extended mystery caused some political commentators claimed the lack of an arrest suggested deliberate concealment, including assertions that “there is a massive cover-up” or that the incident was “an inside job.” The theories persisted even after the FBI publicly debunked claims that the bombs had been planted by a former Capitol Police officer.
Despite the challenges, federal investigators continued to treat the case as a priority. Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino, who had previously amplified theories about the incident before joining the bureau, said in May that the investigation had received “additional resources and investigative attention,” with weekly briefings and renewed analytical reviews of earlier work.
Political leaders responded to Thursday’s arrest with relief. DNC Chair Ken Martin said, “We are grateful to the law enforcement officers who have dedicated years to investigating the pipe bombs… Those responsible for this horrific act must be brought to justice.” Former prosecutors involved in Jan. 6-related cases echoed that sentiment, calling the arrest a testament to the persistence of career FBI agents and federal attorneys.
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