The pipe bombs were discovered just 17 hours later, right before the storm of the U.S. Capitol by pro-Trump rioters. It quickly became a top-priority investigation for both the FBI and Justice Department.
The trail became cold almost immediately. Federal investigators have not been able to identify the individual's identity for over a year. The key question is: Was there any connection between the pipe bombs, the Capitol riot and the pipe bombs?
Following the deadly January insurrection, hundreds of people are still being sought out by the FBI. The FBI has yet to identify and apprehend 250 of the people who were seen attacking police officers at the Capitol. Another 100 are being sought for crimes related to the riot.
Federal law enforcement officers have had to undertake a huge investigation. Over 700 people have been arrested for federal crimes stemming out of the Jan. 6th attack.
The job of FBI agents involved in the cases is not over. Agents and analysts have been poring through thousands of hours worth of surveillance video in an effort to find clear images of those who assaulted officers at the Capitol.
Steven D'Antuono (assistant director in charge) said that "This investigation is time-consuming because it's a lot a lot of work, a lot painstaking work that they have to look at the video frame by frame."
One case shows a man using an electric cane to strike at officers. He is seen on police body camera footage. As he inserts his cane into an officer, you can hear the crackling sound from the electricity. He is still being sought.
D'Antuono stated that the assaults on police officers were very serious. On Jan. 6, more than 100 police officers were attacked and attacked by rioters, some multiple attackers, he stated.
Another video shows a man repeatedly hitting a police officer with a 6-foot (1.8 meter) long metal pole while he attempts to push his way into Capitol. A third video shows another man spraying chemical chemicals into the faces and faces of officers.
D'Antuono stated that there is still much to be done. "There were many people up at the Capitol. A lot of people either committed violence or did other illegal actions up there."
Investigators have interviewed over 900 people and collected more than 39,000 video files in their search for the suspect who set off the pipe bombs at DNC and RNC offices. They also examined more than 400 leads. They have begun to examine the explosives and are now trying to find out as much information as possible about the suspect. This includes analyzing his gait and trying to determine if he purchased the Nike sneakers he wore.
They are not closer to identifying the suspect, but they hope renewed attention to the video of the suspect will spark a tip that could lead to the cracking of the case.
The explosives were left outside the buildings at 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on January 5, 2021. However, law enforcement didn't locate them until the following day. U.S. Capitol Police and FBI agents and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives officers were summoned to the Republican National Committee's offices at 12:45 p.m. Jan. 6. While the bomb technicians and agents were still investigating the RNC, a second call was received for an identical explosive device at the Democratic National Committee headquarters. This occurred about 30 minutes later. No one was injured after the bombs were removed.
The FBI released video showing a person wearing a gray sweatshirt and face mask, and placing one of the explosives underneath a bench outside DNC. Separately, the FBI also shows the person walking along an alleyway near RNC. The person was wearing black and light grey Nike Air Max Speed Turf sneakers, with a yellow logo.
D'Antuono stated that they have used every investigative tool available to locate the suspect. Investigators are still unsure whether the suspect is male or female a year later. The bombs, which were made from threaded galvanized pipe, kitchen timers, and homemade black powder, were carried by the suspect in a backpack.
D'Antuono stated that "we're still nose-to-the grindstone here" and was trying to find the individual to bring them to justice. "But hopefully there's still somebody out there who knows the person or has seen the video again."
It is not clear if the bombs were used to plan for the insurrection, or if they were unrelated. The Capitol is just a few blocks away from both buildings.
The FBI found it extremely difficult to identify the suspect because he was completely covered from head-to-toe.
D'Antuono stated that "in normal times, as if this weren't COVID," "a person walking down the street of D.C. with a mask, glasses, and gloves on would have been a red signal."
