WASHINGTON – The FBI on Wednesday released new video of a pipe bomb suspect in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington, D.C. on the eve of the January 6 Capitol riots, in hopes of identifying the suspect who has yet to be identified. identify.
New video shows the suspect sitting on a bench near the Democratic National Committee Headquarters, in the area where he later planted a pipe bomb, according to the FBI, in a news release on Wednesday. Assessments of the suspect’s behavior in the video and interviews with residents of the Capitol Hill neighborhood led the FBI to believe that the suspect was not from the area.
In the video, the suspect is seen wearing a mask and gray pullover, carrying a backpack.
The bombs, which police said were viable explosives, were discovered during the riot and may have been intended to explode while supporters of then-President Donald Trump attacked the Capitol. Crowds went to the Capitol that day hoping to derail the Electoral College vote count and overturn Trump’s electoral defeat.
Additionally, the FBI released a virtual map detailing the path the suspect took when he planted the two bombs on January 5, from about 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. — the night before the riots. .
In light of this new information, the FBI is asking the public to review the map and watch the suspect’s video. Anyone who can recognize or remember that person’s glasses, shoes, backpack, or any other item, style, or feature in the photos and videos is asked to contact the FBI.
Since January, the FBI has conducted more than 800 interviews, collected more than 23,000 video files, and evaluated more than 300 statements, said Steven M. D’Antuono, assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office. advice regarding this investigation.
“We know it’s difficult to report information about a friend or family member, but these pipe bombs are possible devices that could have gone off, leaving innocent bystanders seriously injured or injured. Your tip could be what stops this person from causing harm, says D’Antuono.
