FBI posts photo of person who placed suspected pipe bombs outside DNC, RNC

U.S. Capitol Police confirmed that the devices could have caused "great harm."

January 11, 2021, 7:31 PM

The FBI has shared a photo of the person responsible for placing the suspected explosive devices outside the Republican National Committee and Democratic National Committee Wednesday, prior to the U.S. Capitol protests.

On Thursday night, the FBI tweeted a photo of the suspect and posted a reward of up to $50,000 "for information leading to the location, arrest, and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the placement of suspected pipe bombs in Washington, D.C. on January 6, 2021."

At around 1 p.m. on Wednesday, law enforcement agencies received reports of two suspected pipe bombs with wires outside the RNC and DNC headquarters in Washington, D.C.

PHOTO: The FBI tweeted a photo and posted a reward for information leading to the location, arrest and conviction of the person, or persons, responsible for the suspected pipe bombs found in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2020.
The FBI tweeted a photo and posted a reward for information leading to the location, arrest and conviction of the person, or persons, responsible for the suspected pipe bombs found in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2020.
FBI

ABC News then obtained an exclusive photo of the suspected explosive device found outside the RNC, which is located just a couple blocks away from the Capitol.

A federal law enforcement source told ABC News that the suspected pipe bombs were indeed active, and U.S. Capitol Police confirmed that the devices could have caused "great harm."

"The USCP Hazardous Materials Response Team determined that both devices were, in fact, hazardous and could cause great harm to public safety," police said in statement.

Bomb technicians used water cannons to blast the devices to break them apart and render them harmless just as violent pro-Trump protesters broke though police lines and stormed into the Capitol.

The FBI has updated its poster about the suspected D.C. pipe bomber Monday. The new photos show the bomber’s distinctive backpack and shoes.

PHOTO: The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information of those involved in  placing pipe bombs at the DNC and RNC headquarters in Washington, D.C., Jan. 6, 2021.
The FBI is offering a reward for information of those involved in placing suspected pipe bombs at the DNC and RNC headquarters in Washington, D.C., Jan. 6, 2021.
FBI

The Capitol siege left five people -- including one female protester who was shot by law enforcement officers and one police officer -- dead.

The FBI is is still seeking information on those involved in the siege, and on Thursday night tweeted photos of some of the pro-MAGA protesters, asking the public for help in identifying them.

ABC News' Jack Date contributed to this report.

This report was featured in the Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2020, episode of “Start Here,” ABC News’ daily news podcast.

"Start Here" offers a straightforward look at the day's top stories in 20 minutes. Listen for free every weekday on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, the ABC News app or wherever you get your podcasts.

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