AP sources say suspect in DC pipe bomb case confessed during interviews with investigators

WASHINGTON The individual accused of placing two pipe bombs near the headquarters of both the Republican and Democratic national committees in Washington, right before the U.S. Capitol riot, reportedly admitted to the crime in discussions with investigators, according to two sources familiar with the case.

Brian Cole Jr., 30, from Woodbridge, Virginia, allegedly told authorities that he believed the 2020 election was fraudulent and expressed support for former President Donald Trump, the sources said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation publicly.

The information provides further insight into the profile of the suspect, though it remains unclear what additional details or statements he may have shared with law enforcement following his arrest last Thursday.

Federal officials have not released statements regarding Cole's potential motive or whether his actions are connected to the Capitol riot the next day. A representative from the federal public defenders office, which will represent Cole during a court appearance on Friday, declined to comment. Attempts to reach Coles relatives listed in public records were unsuccessful.

Cole faces charges related to the January 5, 2021, placement of the explosive devices near the offices of the national political committees. No injuries occurred before the bombs were safely defused, but the FBI has stated that both devices were capable of causing fatalities.

According to an FBI affidavit made public Thursday, investigators identified Cole through a combination of credit card transactions for bomb materials, cellphone tower data, and license plate tracking. His arrest marks the first public identification of a suspect in an unsolved case that has lingered for nearly five years in the shadow of the Capitol attack.

Author: Maya Henderson