Paul Pelosi, the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, was “violently assaulted” at his San Francisco home early Friday, spokesman Drew Hammill said.
A law enforcement source with knowledge of the investigation identified the suspect as David DePape, 42, possibly from Berkeley.
San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott said when officers arrived before 3 a.m. Friday, an adult male and Paul Pelosi were found holding a hammer. The assailant allegedly grabbed Pelosi’s hammer and hit him with it, Scott said.
Depape was booked on suspicion of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon and elder abuse.
Law enforcement officials did not answer questions at a news conference Friday morning.
Pelosi, 82, suffered blunt force trauma to her head and body and was being treated for bruising, severe swelling and other injuries, according to AP.
Paul Pelosi was hospitalized and is expected to make a full recovery and the assailant is in police custody. The motive for the attack was not immediately apparent, authorities said, but according to reports citing unidentified sources, the attacker entered the house asking “where is Nancy?”
Nancy Pelosi was in Washington, D.C. at the time of the raid, according to US Capitol Police.
“The Speaker and her family are grateful to the first responders and medical professionals involved, and request privacy at this time,” Hammill said.
DePape also remained hospitalized as of Friday morning.
The US Capitol Police assisted the FBI and San Francisco police in investigating the event.
Pantea Grover, a neighbor who said she knows Pelosis, said she was shocked by the incident.
She said that she normally feels very safe in the neighborhood because she has her own security, and seeing the police cars on her street this morning alarmed her.
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“I don’t even know what to say,” she said, calling the incident a tragedy. “It’s very, very, very sad what has happened, and I hope he’s okay.”
Pelosis’ home in Pacific Heights has been the scene of several protests in recent years. During the debates on the federal stimulus package in January 2021, the garage was painted with political graffiti and a pig’s head was left on the sidewalk.
“During this incident, an 82-year-old male victim was attacked and the suspect was taken into custody,” the statement added. Police are expected to provide a further update at a news conference later on Friday.
A source who spoke to Fox News said the intruder, who has not been publicly identified, confronted the Speaker’s husband at her San Francisco home and yelled “where’s Nancy, where’s Nancy?” .
Two sources with knowledge of the attack investigation also told The Associated Press that 82-year-old Paul Pelosi was specifically targeted, severely beaten with a hammer and suffering blunt force injuries to the head and body. Sources said Pelosi is being treated for injuries including severe bruising and swelling.
After a video showed Nancy Pelosi getting her hair done at a salon during the pandemic shutdowns, hairstylists protested outside the home with curling irons. Members of the Chinese community held a rally there ahead of Pelosi’s recent trip to Taiwan, the AP reported.
The attack came as members of Congress face increased threats to her safety. In recent years, lawmakers have seen a shooting at a baseball practice, the attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, and many incidents of threats to specific members.
President Joe Biden said he spoke with Nancy Pelosi to express support for him, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Piette said in a statement. Biden said he “continues to condemn all violence and asks that the family’s desire for privacy be respected.”
US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., called the attack a “cowardly act” and said he spoke with Nancy Pelosi to convey her concerns and wishes.
Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Washington, tweeted her prayers for Nancy and Paul Pelosi, calling the violence “horrible.” Jayapal was attacked in July by a man who was carrying a gun and shouting obscenities and threats outside her home. The man was charged with felony stalking.
Source: https://wikisoon.com/
