The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) apprehended a 30-year-old man from Virginia and formally accused him on Thursday of planting two pipe bombs in Washington prior to the U.S. Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, concluding a lengthy investigation that spawned various conspiracy theories.
The individual, identified as Brian Cole Jr. from Woodbridge, Virginia, faced charges of deploying an explosive device and attempting malicious destruction using explosive materials, as disclosed by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and other federal officials at a news briefing in Washington. The officials refrained from disclosing the motive behind the alleged bombing near the Republican and Democratic Party buildings in the vicinity of the Capitol or divulging the breakthrough that led to the arrest almost five years later.
Bondi stated during the press conference that the investigation remains ongoing, with search warrants being executed currently, hinting at potential additional charges in the future. The arrest of Cole was a result of a thorough examination of existing evidence by investigators.
The bombs were rendered inert on the day supporters of then-President Trump breached Congress in an effort to disrupt the certification of Democrat Joe Biden’s 2020 electoral win. The violent mob that stormed the Capitol on that day clashed with approximately 140 officers and caused over $2.8 million in damages.
Details regarding legal representation for Cole were not immediately available. According to court documents, Cole resides with his family in a single-family home in Woodbridge, located about 32 kilometers outside Washington, and is employed in the office of a bail bondsman in northern Virginia.
The arrest came after an extensive investigation during which the FBI encountered challenges in identifying a suspect, prompting multiple appeals to the public for information. Surveillance footage released by the FBI depicted the individual believed to be the bomber wearing distinctive Nike Air Max Speed sneakers.
The attempted bombings had been a topic of speculation within pro-Trump circles, with unfounded claims made by FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino on his podcast alleging that the FBI withheld the suspect’s identity due to an alleged “inside job.”
The case gained fresh attention recently following a misinformation incident where a former Capitol Police officer was falsely identified as a suspect by a far-right news outlet.
According to an FBI affidavit outlining the case evidence, Cole procured various components utilized in the bombs between 2019 and 2020, including pipes, kitchen timers, and battery connectors.
FBI Director Kash Patel mentioned at the news conference that a new team of investigators and experts was brought in to reassess all evidence and data thoroughly. In a bid to invigorate the investigation, the FBI released new surveillance footage in January before the change of administration, offering a $500,000 reward and receiving numerous tips.
Upon his return to office in January, former President Trump granted pardons to nearly 1,500 individuals who faced criminal charges related to their involvement in the Capitol riot.