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Nearly four years after the events of January 6, 2021, the FBI is intensifying its efforts to identify the individual who planted two viable pipe bombs in Washington, D.C. The devices were discovered outside the headquarters of the Republican National Committee (RNC) and the Democratic National Committee (DNC) on the day of the Capitol riot, but were planted the evening before, between 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on January 5.
In a renewed appeal to the public, the bureau has released new information, including a first-ever height estimate of the suspect, who is believed to be approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall. Additionally, the FBI published previously unreleased video footage showing the individual sitting on a park bench near the DNC before placing one of the bombs. The case remains a top priority, with a standing $500,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
The suspect's identity and gender remain unknown, as they were disguised in a gray hooded sweatshirt, a face mask, and gloves. One of the most distinctive clues is a pair of black and light gray Nike Air Max Speed Turf sneakers with a yellow logo. According to the FBI, fewer than 25,000 pairs of these specific shoes were sold in the years leading up to the incident, a detail investigators hope someone will recognize.
Despite a massive investigation that has involved over 1,000 interviews and the review of 39,000 video files, the bomber remains elusive. David Sundberg, assistant director of the FBI's Washington Field Office, emphasized the danger posed by the suspect. "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," he told reporters. He stated that without identifying the suspect, it is difficult to definitively establish the bomber's motive or any direct link to the subsequent Capitol attack.
The investigation has also drawn scrutiny from Congress. A report from the House Administration Committee highlighted significant security failures, noting that then-Vice President-elect Kamala Harris was inside the DNC when the nearby bomb was found. The report detailed how Secret Service and Capitol Police failed to detect the bombs for hours, allowing official motorcades and pedestrians to pass through the active bomb scenes. The FBI continues to urge anyone with information to contact them, stressing that even seemingly minor details could be crucial to solving the case.
