Federal authorities increased the reward for information about the bomber who placed a pair of explosives during the Capitol unrest earlier in the month.
The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives announced a $75,000 reward on Thursday via Twitter, up from $50,000. The decision comes after the FBI cautioned law enforcement agencies that the bomb maker was still on the loose and his or her apprehension was a “top priority” before the inauguration of President Biden.
Officials also warned that the suspect may still be producing similar devices to strike again.
ADDITIONAL REWARD: @ATFWashington & #FBIWFO are now offering a reward of up to $75K for info about the person(s) responsible for the placement of suspected pipe bombs in DC on January 6th. Call 1800CALLFBI with info or submit to https://t.co/NNj84wkNJP. pic.twitter.com/f77EHkVNND
— FBI Washington Field (@FBIWFO) January 21, 2021
A pair of pipe bombs were found near the Capitol during the Jan. 6 chaos. One was planted at the Republican National Committee headquarters, and the other was rigged at the Democratic National Committee base. Neither of the devices was triggered, and both were later defused by bomb technicians.
Authorities released photographs of the wanted suspect, the person’s shoes, and a backpack, but the bomber has yet to be identified by the public.
“The FBI continues to follow all investigative leads to determine who planted the suspected pipe bombs outside the offices of the Republican and Democratic National Committee offices on January 6,” a spokesperson for the FBI Washington Field Office told the Washington Examiner.
The person, who sported a gray hoodie and a face covering, was said to have placed the devices around the time that thousands of pro-Trump rioters clashed with law enforcement and breached the Capitol. A total of five people died during the siege, one of whom was a police officer.
