While the political class in Washington focuses on removing the President via the 25th Amendment or impeachment and conviction, federal agents in that city are working with the same ferver to try to identify the person or persons behind pipe bombs that were planted in front of the headquarters of both the Republican and Democratic National Committees.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has released an image of a suspect, along with a $50,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and convication of those responsible for placing the bombs amidst the unrest on January 6, 2021 in the nation’s capitol city.
Here’s what we know so far:
By 1:15 p.m. on the 6th, multiple agencies were alerted to the fact that there were pipe bombs sighted at the aforementioned locations. The description of the pipe bombs included wires, and from the one image available to the public it appears a timer was involved on the bomb.
The following image was obtained by ABC News:
Though how much explosive material was used is unclear, law enforcement sources informed CBS News that both devices were “viable,” meaning that they had the capacity to detonate. The U.S. Capitol Police stated, “The USCP Hazardous Materials Response Team determined that both devices were, in fact, hazardous and could cause great harm to public safety.”
The DNC and RNC headquarters are separated by a short 5 minute walk. Though the Bureau has released just one image of the intending bomber, it’s likely that they have by now obtained multiple images from cameras along the probable travel routes from one office to the other. The bomber took great pains to disguise himself, and, frankly, it’s not hard to do so in January during the pandemic. Masks, with gloves because of the cold, are to be expected. It will be difficult to determine a gender, age, or race from any images. Hopefully, the perpetrator is traceable via a vehicle or even public transportation.
Investigation into the bomb itself can elicit clues. After bomb techs exploded the devices using water cannons, all pieces in the controlled operation were collected for examination, and FBI and ATF agents will work to determine where the parts came from and who might have obtained them, as well as a chemical analysis of the explosives.