DC pipe-bomb suspect Brian Cole Jr. has secret online life obsessing over ‘My Little Pony’
Brian Cole Jr., 30, the man accused of attempting to bomb both the Republican and Democratic National Committees in Washington, D.C., on January 5, 2021, was an enthusiastic fan of My Little Pony.
Cole, who authorities say planned the attacks in the months after President Trump’s re-election loss, was deeply engaged in the fandom, known as “Bronies,” creating fan art, music remixes, and stories centered on the toys, which are primarily marketed to young girls.
His work, linked to multiple social media accounts tied to his email and phone number, included dozens of images and fan fiction. Posting under the username iDeltaVelocity, he uploaded 87 pieces of pony art to one forum, often depicting pink or purple ponies with multicolored manes. Some illustrations included fantastical or mechanical elements, such as a pony with a bionic leg. In one piece, a “Star Wars”-inspired pony declares, “I’m not ‘cute,’ I’m deadly,” a line drawn from the video game Star Wars: The Old Republic.
On a Tumblr account using one of Cole’s aliases, a comment on a pony wielding an M60 machine gun read, “Eh… I’d give her an RPG. What can I say? Explosions are COOL!”—referencing a rocket-propelled grenade. The Brony subculture, which by 2017 was large enough to hold annual conventions, is generally considered nonsexual and attracts adult fans drawn to its unique, online community.
Some of Cole’s fan fiction blended My Little Pony fantasy with horror elements. In one story, he described zombie ponies rising from the ground, with the character Applebloom reacting in terror.
A former classmate recalled Cole carrying a My Little Pony backpack and being teased for it. “The subculture of Bronies was very online and unique and attracted a lot of male fans, who were breaking gender norms, which attracted a lot of attention,” said Dr. Daniel Chadborn, assistant professor of psychology and author of Meet the Bronies: The Psychology of the Adult My Little Pony Fandom. Chadborn noted that while the fandom is not generally sexual, it can attract individuals who are troubled or seeking a sense of belonging.
Hasbro, the company behind My Little Pony, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Little is known about Cole’s motives in the alleged bomb plot. He had been described as reclusive, aside from walking his chihuahua, and lived with family while working for the family bail bonds business. His grandmother told The Washington Post that he is “almost autistic-like, because he doesn’t understand a lot of stuff.”
Online, Cole shared interests including parkour, music, video games—particularly horror—drawing, philosophy, and anime. Some of his posts hinted at self-harm, such as noting he felt better when “smashing my head on my keyboard.” His online usernames included iDeltaVelocity, Delta1Forgotten, Bron1Delta, and Blue Velocity. Under these accounts, he uploaded music in the “Electro Swing” genre, including tracks with My Little Pony themes, like “Pony I Want to Be (iDeltaVelocity remix)” and “Doin’ the Equestrian Jive.”
Authorities say Cole began assembling materials for crude pipe bombs in northern Virginia in 2020, visiting retailers including Home Depot, Micro Center, Lowe’s, and Walmart. None of the bombs detonated.
Cole faces charges of transporting an explosive device across state lines with intent to kill, injure, or damage property, as well as attempted malicious destruction by explosive materials. Sources told The Post that he has confessed to police.
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