FBI releases new video of suspects planting bombs before Capitol riot

The FBI released new videos on Tuesday which investigators say show the person suspected of planting two homemade bombs the night before the January riot on Capitol Hill.

“These homemade bombs were viable devices that could have exploded, causing injury or death. We need the public’s help to identify the individual responsible for planting these homemade bombs, to ensure that they do not will do no harm to themselves or anyone else, “said Steven D.” Antuono, the deputy director in charge of the FBI’s field office in Washington, DC.

The FBI said the bombs were placed between 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. ET on Jan. 5, outside the national offices of the Republican National Committee and the Democratic National Committee. Both are located a few blocks from the Capitol.

Videos released last month showed the suspect was the suspect walking through the neighborhood, wearing a gray hoodie, mask and backpack. The FBI said the suspect was also wearing distinctive shoes – Nike Air Max Speed ​​Turf shoes with black, gray and yellow details.

Recently released videos show the suspect walking the sidewalk a few blocks from the Capitol, then stopping to put down the backpack before resuming walking. Other scenes show the person sitting on a park bench and walking down an alley.

Investigators said both devices appeared to be fully functional, made of a metal pipe one inch in diameter, containing homemade black powder, with a common wind-up timer attached. They haven’t left.

The discovery of the devices removed dozens of police officers from their usual posts about 90 minutes before rioters stormed the Capitol. Steven Sund, the former Capitol Police chief, said he believed the bombs were placed as a diversionary tactic.

Releasing the video, the FBI said officers were hopeful someone could recognize the suspect’s gait, body language or other mannerisms. Officers said the suspect also took something from a vehicle parked a few blocks from the Capitol between 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. ET on January 5.

The FBI is offering a reward of $ 100,000 for information that leads to the identification of the suspect.