Brian Cole Jr., a 30-year-old man, is facing charges for allegedly attempting to blow up both the Republican and Democratic National Committees in Washington, D.C. on January 5, 2021. Interestingly, he was reportedly a passionate fan of My Little Pony.
Cole’s enthusiasm for this franchise was quite pronounced; he engaged in creating artwork, remixing songs, and even writing fan fiction centered around these iconic toys aimed at young girls.
His creations circulated on various social media platforms and were connected to his email and phone number, revealing a unique glimpse into his interests.
Under the username iDeltaVelocity, he reportedly shared 87 pieces of My Little Pony fan art online, showcasing characters with vibrant colors and, in some cases, unique features like bionic limbs. One piece particularly stood out, featuring a pony with a bionic leg brace and an apparent preference for pinks and purples.
In one of his posts, a pony inspired by the Star Wars franchise wittily declares, “I’m not ‘pretty,’ I’m deadly,” echoing a line from the game Star Wars: The Old Republic.
Another point of interest is a photo Cole shared of a pony wielding an M60 machine gun, where he humorously expressed a desire to give her an RPG, stating simply, “What can I say? Explosions are cool!”
The community of My Little Pony enthusiasts, often referred to as “bronies,” has expanded significantly over the years. By 2017, it was large enough to host conventions, and they’re generally known for defying traditional gender norms.
Interestingly, the content Cole shared didn’t seem to lean towards any explicit themes. For instance, one of his fan fiction stories mixes fantasy with horror elements.
In his narrative, a character named Apple Bloom experiences terrifying visions: “Skeletons, zombified ponies rising from the ground…” It paints quite a dark picture, with descriptions of decay that evoke feelings of dread.
A high school classmate recalled that Cole had a My Little Pony backpack and was subjected to teasing for it.
Surveillance footage from January 5, 2021, captures him planting one of the pipe bombs outside the Republican headquarters, marked with a haunting presence in the quiet of the night.
Daniel Chadbourne, a psychologist and author familiar with the bronies subculture, mentioned its appeal to many men breaking societal norms. He further noted that such communities can sometimes attract individuals dealing with personal issues.
Chadbourne commented that “dissatisfied people often seek out spaces in which they can participate to gain a sense of identity and belonging.”
As for Hasbro, the toy company behind My Little Pony, they haven’t provided any statements regarding this incident.
Since Cole’s arrest last week, limited details about his motives or actions have emerged. Reports suggest he was quite reclusive, opting mostly for solitary walks with his Chihuahua.
His grandmother described him as “almost autistic,” indicating he faced challenges understanding certain social nuances. His work life involved the family bail bond business, Brian Cole Bail Bonds.
Cole’s online presence reflected a diverse range of interests like music, video games, and even philosophical self-improvement. He humorously mentioned that to lift his spirits during bad moods, he’d “bang [his] head on the keyboard.”
He utilized various online aliases, including “iDeltaVelocity” and “Delta1Forgotten,” sharing songs in the Electro Swing genre, with some titles directly themed around My Little Pony.
After 2020, there was a noticeable decline in his online activity. At that time, he had already begun planning his bomb plot, visiting multiple retail locations across Northern Virginia to procure materials for his homemade explosives.
He’s been charged with transporting explosives across state lines, intending to cause harm or property damage, as well as attempted malicious destruction via explosives. Sources indicate he has confessed to the police.
