Who Is Brian J. Cole Jr.? What to Know About the D.C. Pipe Bomb Suspect

After nearly five years, a suspect has been taken into custody in connection with the two pipe bombs planted in Washington, D.C., the night before the Capitol riots on Jan. 6, 2021.

On Dec. 4, the FBI announced that Brian J. Cole Jr. was arrested and charged for transporting and planting two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on Jan. 5, 2021. The devices were placed at the headquarters of both the Republican National Committee (RNC) and the Democratic National Committee (DNC) in Washington, D.C. — one day before the U.S. Capitol riots that killed several people and resulted in numerous arrests.

A group of pro-Donald Trump supporters stormed the Capitol building on Jan. 6 in an effort to stop Congress from voting to certify the 2020 presidential election results. According to the Associated Press, it’s not yet clear if the planting of the bombs had any connection to the riots.

Here’s everything to know about D.C. pipe bomb suspect Brian J. Cole Jr.

He is a resident of Virginia

Cole is a resident of Woodbridge, Va., a Washington, D.C., suburb, per the Department of Justice’s press release. According to NBC Washington, he graduated from C.D. Hylton High School in Woodbridge in 2013, as a school district spokesperson confirmed.

Per BBC, court documents reveal that he lives with his parents and works for a bail bond company, a firm that helps people get out of jail by posting bail on their behalf in exchange for a non-refundable fee.

He allegedly bought materials consistent with bombs

An FBI agent said in a probable cause affidavit filed on Dec. 3 that Cole allegedly bought multiple items in 2019 and 2020 that were consistent with the components used to make the pipe bomb, according to CBS News.

Per the affidavit, cellphone provider records show that Cole’s phone was located near the DNC and RNC headquarters on Jan. 5, 2021, when the person who planted the bombs was seen on surveillance footage.

Additionally, according to CBS News, the document states that Cole’s car was spotted by a license plate reader less than half a mile from where the person was seen on the footage.

Surveillance footage showed that the suspect was wearing a gray hoodie, black gloves and a face mask, as well as black and gray Nike Air Max Speed Turf shoes, per the FBI. They report that the suspect used backpacks to carry the bombs, which were put in place within 30 minutes of each other.

He was taken into custody nearly five years after the bombs were placed

Cole was arrested on the morning of Dec. 4, nearly five years after the bombs were placed.

“Although almost five years have passed, this shows the FBI will never rest in bringing justice to those who endanger American lives and our communities,” FBI Director Kash Patel said during the news conference that day. “I would like to thank our Washington Field Office, FBI personnel across the country, and our partners for their hard work and dedication which led to this arrest.”

According to the DOJ’s press release, Cole is charged in an unsealed complaint with transporting an explosive device in interstate commerce with the intent to kill, injure or intimidate any individual or unlawfully to damage or destroy any building, vehicle or other real or personal property.

He is also charged with attempted malicious destruction by means of fire and explosive materials, per the release.

A motive has yet to be determined

Although the bombs were placed the night before the Jan. 6 Capitol riots, it’s not yet clear if the incidents are connected as a motive has not been determined.

The court documents don’t make any reference to the Capitol riot, per CBS News, and no motive details were provided during the press conference on Dec. 4.