FBI Makes First Arrest in January 6th Pipe Bomb Investigation
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A suspect has been taken into custody in connection with the placement of pipe bombs outside the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and Republican National Committee (RNC) headquarters on the eve of the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. The arrest, made on Thursday, represents a significant breakthrough in a case that has baffled federal investigators for nearly five years.
Suspect Identified as Brian Cole
Four law enforcement sources confirmed to CBS News that the suspect is Brian Cole, a 30-year-old resident of Woodbridge, Virginia. He is expected to appear in federal court in Washington, D.C., on Thursday to face charges related to the incident.
The pipe bombs were strategically placed outside the DNC and RNC headquarters on the evening of January 5, 2021, as tensions escalated leading up to the certification of the 2020 presidential election results. While the devices—constructed from 1×8-inch pipes, kitchen timers, and homemade black powder—did not detonate, the FBI determined they were viable and posed a substantial threat to life.
Near Miss During Capitol Riot
The bombs remained undiscovered until the afternoon of January 6, as law enforcement struggled to contain the escalating riot at the Capitol building. Notably, then-Vice President-elect Kamala Harris was evacuated from DNC headquarters shortly after the devices were located. The timing and placement of the bombs raised concerns about a coordinated attempt to disrupt the democratic process and potentially harm key political figures.
“We are grateful to the law enforcement officers who have dedicated years to investigating the pipe bombs planted at the Democratic and Republican National Committee headquarters on the eve of the January 6th insurrection,” stated DNC Chair Ken Martin following the arrest. “Those responsible for this horrific act must be brought to justice, and political violence should never be accepted in America.”
A Lingering Mystery Solved
The investigation into the pipe bombs remained a prominent, yet unsolved, aspect of the broader January 6th probe. Over the past several years, federal law enforcement has focused on identifying and charging participants in the Capitol riot, resulting in over 1,500 arrests. However, the pipe bomb case remained a “lingering mystery,” according to sources.
The FBI periodically released security camera footage of a potential suspect—described as a shadowy figure wearing a hoodie—and offered a $500,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. In May, Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino indicated on X (formerly Twitter) that the investigation was receiving “additional resources and investigative attention,” and that he was receiving weekly briefings on its progress.
The arrest of Brian Cole marks a pivotal moment in the pursuit of justice for this unsettling incident, and a significant step toward fully accounting for the events surrounding the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Kathryn Watson contributed to this report.
