Unresolved Mystery: FBI Releases New Details about explosives placed outside Democratic, Republican committee offices
WASHINGTON — A puzzling chapter in U.S. history remains shrouded in mystery: Who placed explosive devices outside the offices of the Democratic and Republican National Committees in Washington the night before the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack?
In an effort to generate new leads, the FBI has released more information about its investigation, including an estimate that the suspect is approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall. The agency also published previously unreleased footage of the suspect placing one of the bombs.
Four years later, many basic questions remain unanswered. For starters, investigators have not determined whether the suspect is male or female. Additionally, there’s no clear link established between the explosive devices and the January 6th insurrection by pro-Donald Trump supporters.
"Without a confirmed identity, it’s very difficult to definitively establish a motive," said David Sundberg, FBI Assistant Director in charge of the Washington Field Office. "So, it’s difficult for us to assert there’s a link, though we can’t say there isn’t."
Without concrete evidence, some Republican lawmakers and right-wing media have pushed conspiracy theories about the explosive devices. They’ve also criticized security lapses, questioning why security forces didn’t detect the bombs during the 17-hour period they remained unnoticed.
"We’re focused on conducting an investigation using all the tools at our disposal," Sundberg said. "But our duty is to follow the facts and the evidence."
The FBI has evaluated over 600 tips, reviewed around 39,000 hours of video footage, and conducted over 1,000 interviews over the past four years. The suspect was seen wearing a grey hoodie, a face mask, black gloves, and a pair of black and grey Nike Air Max Speed Turf shoes with a yellow logo. They were also carrying a backpack containing the devices.
Surveillance footage captured the suspect placing the explosives near the committee offices between 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on January 5, 2021. No one was injured, and both devices could have been lethal if triggered.
Kamala Harris, then the Vice President-elect, was inside the DNC offices when the explosive device outside was discovered around 1:05 p.m. on January 6. Prior to its neutralization, Nancy Pelosi’s motorcade passed by the building while she was being evacuated from the Capitol.
This week, the FBI released a one-minute video showing the suspect sitting on a bench outside the DNC office before placing the first device around 7:54 p.m. The second device was placed around 8:16 p.m. in an alley behind the RNC office.
The FBI is also releasing close-up images of the Nike shoes worn by the suspect, which were limited in production, with fewer than 25,000 pairs sold between August 2018 and January 2021.
"Based on their attire, those are probably the most notable or distinguishing characteristic about the clothing the suspect was wearing," Sundberg said. "We’re hoping someone might recognize that."
The FBI tracked the suspect’s movements on Capitol Hill using surveillance footage. The suspect was first seen around 7:34 p.m. at the intersection of First Street and North Carolina Avenue and was last seen heading east on Rumsey Court around 8:18 p.m.
"The suspect in this case did a very good job of covering themselves in a moment when this wouldn’t be unusual," Sundberg said, referencing the use of masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The suspect’s footage was often sporadic and of poor quality, according to Sundberg. The 17-hour gap between the placement and discovery of the homemade bombs also made identifying potential witnesses difficult.
Authorities previously offered a reward of up to $500,000 for information leading to the suspect’s arrest and conviction.
From the FBI’s perspective, Sundberg said he doesn’t expect the incoming administration to affect the course of the investigation. "We don’t know who the suspect is," he added. "And I hope we continue working this case until its logical conclusion and identify a suspect."
The FBI’s persistent efforts to solve this mystery underscore their commitment to maintaining public safety and ensuring justice, even years after the initial incident. As it stands, the search for the person responsible for the explosive devices placed outside the committee offices remains an open investigation.
