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Nearly four years after two viable pipe bombs were placed in Washington, D.C., on the eve of the January 6 Capitol riot, the FBI is renewing its appeal for public assistance by releasing new details in the unsolved case. The bureau has published previously unreleased video and provided a new physical estimate of the suspect, who remains unidentified despite a massive investigative effort.
The bombs were planted between 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on January 5, 2021, near the headquarters of the Republican National Committee (RNC) and the Democratic National Committee (DNC). The devices did not detonate but were discovered the following afternoon, prompting a large-scale law enforcement response. In its latest update, the FBI now estimates the suspect is approximately 5 feet, 7 inches tall. The bureau is also circulating new surveillance footage showing the suspect sitting on a park bench before placing one of the bombs near the DNC.
The suspect wore a gray hooded sweatshirt, a face mask, black gloves, and carried a backpack. A key identifying feature remains a distinctive pair of Nike Air Max Speed Turf shoes with a yellow logo. According to the FBI, fewer than 25,000 pairs of these specific sneakers were sold leading up to the incident. Authorities have struggled to identify the individual, partly because their attire was not unusual during the COVID-19 pandemic. The investigation has been extensive, involving more than 1,000 interviews and the review of approximately 39,000 video files.
David Sundberg, the assistant director in charge of the FBI's Washington Field Office, emphasized the seriousness of the crime, noting the bombs could have caused lethal harm. While a motive has not been established, the timing continues to be of interest to investigators. The FBI maintains a $500,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible. "We are convinced there are people that still know something," Sundberg stated, urging those with any potentially relevant details to come forward as the bureau remains committed to solving the case.
