Brian Cole’s neighbors share new details about pipe bomb suspect 

The suspect arrested for allegedly planting bombs outside the Republican and Democratic National Committees on the eve of the January 6 Capitol riots in 2021 is a quiet man who keeps to himself, according to those who live next to him.  

FBI officers arrested Brian Cole Jr., 30 at his home in a Washington, D.C. suburb Thursday and charged him in connection with the explosives, which failed to detonate. 

An affidavit by a special agent, which the FBI shared with Newsweek when contacted for comment, outlined how officers had combed bank account details, cellphone records and video surveillance footage in the investigation. 

One of Cole’s neighbors told NBC News that Cole is “a quiet guy who enjoyed walking his dog” while another told the New York Post that Cole has “uncommonly short legs” and so a “gait analysis” could rule him out or “confirm” him as the culprit. 

Why It Matters 

The arrest of Cole is a breakthrough in a case in which federal investigators had sought the suspect for nearly half a decade and offered a $500,000 reward.  

While it is not clear if a motive has been determined, nor whether the bombs planted on January 5, 2021 had any connection with the Capital riot the next day, the arrest has earned political points for the Trump administration. 

Attorney General Pam Bondi said the arrest was because the Trump administration had made this case a priority, having “languished” under the previous Biden administration. 

What To Know 

Federal agents arrested Brian J. Cole Jr., 30, of Woodbridge, Virginia, on Thursday with footage showing a large police presence outside the suspect’s home.  

He was charged with transporting and planting two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on January 5, 2021, at the RNC and DNC headquarters in Washington, D.C. 

The charges include 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 was also charged with attempted malicious destruction by means of fire and explosive materials. 

Charging documents said Cole is a resident of Woodbridge, Virginia, is 5 feet 6 inches tall, and wears corrective eyeglasses. He lives in a single-family house with his mother and other family members and works in the office of a bail bondsman in northern Virginia. 

NBC reported that Cole’s father, Brian Cole Sr., owns a bail bondsman business in northern Virginia, although it not clear if this is where his son works. 

Cole graduated from Hylton High School in Virginia in 2013, and his party affiliation is not yet known, the outlet reported.   

Neighbors described the suspect as quiet. One unnamed neighbor told NBC News that Cole was “just not somebody that I would pick as somebody who’d want to hurt anyone for any reason,” and that he “kept to himself.” 

Another told the New York Post that Cole had a chihuahua dog he walked twice a day to the 7-Eleven, while wearing his headphones.  Another neighbor, also unnamed, said that Cole would wear shorts in winter and red Crocs on his feet. 

The same neighbor told the Post he doubted that Cole was the person recorded planting the bombs, but his “uncommonly short legs” meant that an analysis of his gait could be conclusive in determining whether he was responsible.  

The FBI affidavit said that examining video surveillance allowed the FBI to recreate the suspect’s path and ascertain that the pipe bomb was placed at the DNC at approximately 7:54 p.m. on January 5, 2021 and at the RNC at approximately 8:16 p.m. 

Height analysis determined that the suspect was 5 feet 7 inches, give or take an inch. He is the registered owner of a 2017 Nissan Sentra with a Virginia license plate which was seen at 7.10 p.m. driving past the South Capitol Street exit from Interstate 395 South. 

This was less than one-half mile from where the individual who placed the devices was first observed on foot. 

Prosecutors say that bank records showed in 2019 and 2020, Cole bought items consistent with what was used to make the pipe bombs, namely galvanized pipes, end caps, battery connectors, kitchen timers, electrical wire and steel wool. 

What People Are Saying 

Attorney General Bondi said in a statement the arrest: “was the result of good, diligent police work and collaboration on a case that languished for four years under the prior administration. The American people are safer thanks to this morning’s successful operation.” 

An unnamed neighbor told the New York Post: “He seemed very quiet. He would never make eye contact. Almost like he just didn’t see you,” adding…“I’m pretty shocked. This is a very uncommonly friendly and neighborly place to live.” 

An FBI officer’s affidavit shared with Newsweek reads: “Brian J. Cole, Jr.is a 30 year-old resident of Woodbridge, Virginia…is 5 feet 6 inches tall, and ..wears corrective eyeglasses. COLE lives in a single-family house with his mother and other family members.” 

What Happens Next 

Cole has been charged and there will be anticipation over whether information will be revealed over a motive and whether there was a connection to the January 6 riots.