January 6 DC Pipe Bomb Suspect Arrested and Charged

Federal prosecutors have filed a criminal complaint alleging that Brian J. Cole Jr. 30 of Woodbridge Virginia built and placed the two pipe bombs found outside the Republican National Committee and Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington DC on January 5 2021. Additionally, the charges were sworn before a US magistrate judge on December 3 2025.

Cole is charged with transporting an explosive in interstate commerce with intent to kill injure or intimidate. He is also charged with malicious destruction and attempted destruction of buildings by fire and explosive.

Summary of events

On January 6 2021 at approximately 1:00 p.m. law enforcement received a report of a suspected improvised explosive device near the RNC headquarters. In addition, a second device was reported near the DNC about 15 minutes later. The US Capitol Police Hazardous Devices Unit rendered both devices safe. FBI laboratory analysis confirmed both were functional destructive devices commonly known as pipe bombs.

Each device contained a galvanized metal pipe with end caps homemade black powder steel wool a nine volt battery a kitchen timer and red and black electrical wire. Furthermore, FBI examiners stated the hard metal construction gave both devices weapon characteristics.

Video Evidence

Video surveillance from the evening of January 5 2021 shows a single suspect placing both explosives between 7:34 p.m. and 8:18 p.m. Meanwhile, the individual was observed wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt dark pants and gloves a face mask Nike Air Max Speed Turf shoes and a backpack. The suspect was also seen adjusting eyeglasses. The FBI performed a height analysis and estimated the suspect at approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall. Cole is listed as 5 feet 6 inches and wears corrective glasses.

Financial Evidence

Investigators reviewed bank and credit card records belonging to Cole and identified multiple purchases between 2019 and 2020 that matched the exact components used in the devices. Specifically, these included galvanized pipes and end caps from Home Depot nine volt battery connectors from Micro Center kitchen timers from Walmart electrical wire from Home Depot and Lowes and steel wool along with various tools and protective equipment. The complaint also states Cole continued purchasing bomb components after the January 5 placement.

Electronic Evidence

Historical cell site records show Cole’s cellphone connected with multiple towers surrounding the RNC and DNC during the exact time window when the devices were placed. Additionally, the phone conducted seven data transactions between 7:39 p.m. and 8:24 p.m. on January 5.

Cole is the registered owner of a 2017 Nissan Sentra. License plate readers captured the vehicle driving past the South Capitol Street exit near the device placement route at approximately 7:10 p.m. on January 5. Moreover, his cellphone began interacting with nearby towers roughly 29 minutes later.

Surveillance Evidence

The FBI also identified several occasions where Cole made purchases in Washington DC between 2018 and 2020. About three weeks before the bomb placement Cole made a purchase at a restaurant located directly across from the path later used by the suspect.

Based on surveillance footage purchase records cellphone location data and vehicle tracking the FBI concluded there is probable cause that Brian J. Cole Jr. placed both pipe bombs outside the RNC and DNC on January 5 2021.