Here’s what we know about Brian Cole, the suspect charged with planting pipe bombs outside DNC, RNC

The 30-year-old was taken into custody on Thursday morning, and authorities were seen searching the Woodbridge, Virginia home of Cole as well as a car parked nearby. Neighbors described Cole as "very antisocial," and having a "dog that he loves." The suspect has been described as being linked to statements supporting anarchist ideology.

An affidavit released on Thursday revealed that Cole purchased "multiple items consistent with the components that were used to manufacture the pipe bombs placed at the RNC and DNC" in 2019 and 2020 from physical retail locations in northern Virginia. This included six galvanized pipes, steel wool, and over a dozen end caps from multiple Home Depot locations, nine-volt battery connectors of the Nine Volt Distributor brand from Micro Center, two kitchen timers from Walmart, and 14-gauge wire in black and red that he bought at Home Depot and Lowes.

He also purchased during this time period "equipment that would facilitate the manufacturing of a pipe bomb," including safety glasses, wire nuts, a wire stripping tool, sandpaper, a machinist’s file, protective gloves, and disinfecting wipes.

The affidavit stated that following the January 5, 2021 placement of the pipe bombs, "Cole continued to make purchases of components used in bomb making," including a kitchen timer and nine-volt batteries on January 21, 2021, and two galvanized pipes, steel wool, and nine-volt battery clips the following day, and alligator clips on January 23, 2021.

The affidavit stated that the FBI obtained cell site records associated with the cell towers in the vicinity of the RNC and DNC for January 5, 2021, which show transactions such as voice calls, text messages, and other data. "Provider records show that the Cole cellphone connected with Provider cell phone towers consistent with the Cole cellphone being in the area of the RNC and DNC on January 5, 2021. The Cole cellphone engaged in approximately seven data session transactions with Provider towers between 7:39 p.m. and 8:24 p.m." The affidavit stated that the transactions during this timeframe were consistent with coverage areas in the Capitol Hill neighborhood area where surveillance footage captured the suspect walking and placing pipe bombs.

The affidavit also noted that a 2017 Nissan Sentra bearing a Virginia license plate is registered to Cole, and was captured at around 7:10 pm on January 5, 2021 by a license plate reader at the South Capitol Street exit from Interstate 95. This location "is less than one-half mile from the location where the individual who placed the devices was first observed on foot near North Carolina and New Jersey Avenues, Southeast at 7:34 p.m. Approximately 5 minutes later, at 7:39:27 p.m., the Cole cellphone began to interact with Provider towers in the area."

It has also been revealed that Cole ran a bail bonds business with his father, Cole Sr., that works to free illegal immigrants from ICE custody, had sued the first Trump administration over the treatment of illegal immigrants and lost, and his father hired Black Lives Matter attorney Ben Crump to push for the Biden Administration to investigate a Tennessee attorney for racial discrimination.

FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement, "The investigation into the pipe bombs in Washington, D.C. has been a high priority since Deputy Director Bongino and I assumed our roles nine months ago. Since that time, our FBI teams have gone back over every fact and every data point looking for new leads – and today’s arrest is the result of that outstanding work. Although almost five years have passed, this shows the FBI will never rest in bringing justice to those who endanger American lives and our communities. I would like to thank our Washington Field Office, FBI personnel across the country, and our partners for their hard work and dedication which led to this arrest."

US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said, "The well-being of our society rests on our ability as law enforcement to safeguard our citizens. When bad actors intervene to disrupt and threat[en] that peace – to destroy the very fabric of our country – we must, we do, and we will track them down and hold them to account for their crimes to the full extent of the law. FBI and members of my office worked around the clock to methodically piece together the clues that ultimately identified the defendant."

Brian Cole Arrest Affidavit by Hannah Nightingale