A suspect accused of placing two pipe bombs near the U.S. Capitol on January 5, 2021, is in federal custody after an investigation that stretched nearly five years, federal law enforcement officials said Thursday.
The FBI arrested the man, who lives in Virginia, early Thursday morning, according to officials familiar with the case.
Authorities discovered the devices outside both the Republican National Committee and the Democratic National Committee headquarters on the eve of the January 6 certification of the 2020 presidential election. The bombs were found around the same time thousands of protesters began gathering several blocks away at the Capitol.
The FBI previously released surveillance footage showing a person placing the devices more than 16 hours before they were discovered. The suspect in the video wore a gray hoodie, Nike Air Max Speed Turf sneakers, a face mask, glasses and gloves. Despite extensive public outreach and national attention, the individual’s identity had remained unknown until this week.
No additional details about the suspect or potential charges were immediately released. Federal officials said updates will be provided as the case proceeds.
