Pipe Bomb Suspect Arrested
Nearly five years after the crime, a suspect has been arrested and charged with crimes related to planting pipe bombs at both the Republican National Committee and the Democratic National Committee on January 5, 2021. Brian Cole, now 30, is accused of being the person long sought but previously unidentified and known only for wearing a hoodie, face mask, and Nike Air Max shoes when surveillance footage captured him allegedly in the act of placing the explosive devices. Authorities say a combination of evidence, including cell tower records, traffic cameras, and multiple transaction records confirming purchase of the bomb components led to Cole’s arrest.
Cole did not enter a plea during his first court appearance and is next due in court on December 15, 2026.
Analysis and eternal perspective: As always, the suspect in this story is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Even so, new activity as significant as an arrest and charges filed in a case five years cold reminds us of the truth in Numbers 32:23: “[Y]ou may be sure that your sin will find you out.”
In context, Moses is reminding the Israelites of the consequences should they fail to heed God’s instructions. But the principle applies squarely to you and me today. Is there disobedience or some other sin in our life—or even just held in our heart—waiting to be found out? Our passage tells us that day will surely come—if nothing else, on the day we give account to God.
But even until that day of discovery, there is a weight associated with unresolved sin. If Brian Cole did in fact plant the bombs, can you imagine how he must have lived the last five years? Every knock on the door, every smartphone notification, and every news story related to the 2020 election must have caused a start and must have made him wonder if the ruse was finally over. Again, we presume Cole’s innocence for the moment, but someone has been living with this unresolved sin on their conscience.
What about you today? Is there something long unresolved you need to be free of? Your God is slow to anger (Ps. 103:8) and ready to forgive (Ps. 86:5). Don’t carry it any longer. Sin has consequence—in the case of Cole, he could face decades in prison if convicted. Even so, the abundant grace and mercy of your God waits to cover your human shortcomings. Lay what has been hidden before Him. Do it before the day it finds you out.
The preceding article originally appeared in Thann’s “The Equipped” Weekly Newsletter. For more information on Thann’s weekly email, click here.