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In an aerial view, San Francisco cops and F.B.I. brokers collect in entrance of the house of U.S. Speaker of the Home Nancy Pelosi on Oct. 28 in San Francisco.Justin Sullivan/Getty Pictures
A person broke into Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s dwelling in San Francisco and severely beat her 82-year-old husband, Paul Pelosi, with a hammer early Friday whereas the Democratic lawmaker was in Washington.
Paul Pelosi had surgical procedure to restore a cranium fracture and severe accidents to his proper arm and fingers, and his docs anticipate a full restoration, the speaker’s workplace stated.
David DePape, 42, was arrested on suspicion of tried homicide, elder abuse and housebreaking, police stated.
“This was not a random act. This was intentional. And it’s unsuitable,” San Francisco Police Chief William Scott stated.
Assault on Nancy Pelosi’s husband shocks nation on edge about democracy threats
The violence was the most recent jolt to an more and more splintered political system that’s riven with extremism.
A take a look at what is understood concerning the assault and the suspect:
WHAT HAPPENED?
An intruder wielding a hammer smashed his method via a rear door into the Pelosi residence in San Francisco shortly earlier than 2:30 a.m. Friday. The person confronted Paul Pelosi and shouted, “The place is Nancy,” in keeping with an individual accustomed to the scenario who was granted anonymity to debate it.
Paul Pelosi referred to as 911 himself and when police arrived they discovered him fighting the assailant. The person managed to strike Pelosi no less than as soon as with the hammer earlier than he was tackled by officers and arrested, police stated.
Nancy Pelosi was in Washington on the time of the assault. The couple has been married since 1963.
In her letter, the speaker thanked colleagues for his or her prayers and heat needs. “Our kids, our grandchildren and I are heartbroken and traumatized by the life-threatening assault on our Pop,” she wrote. “We’re grateful for the fast response of legislation enforcement and emergency providers, and for the life-saving medical care he’s receiving.”
HOW’S PAUL PELOSI DOING?
He underwent surgical procedure to restore a cranium fracture and severe accidents to his proper arm and fingers, and his docs anticipate a full restoration, the speaker’s workplace stated Friday. There have been no updates on his situation Saturday.
Nancy Pelosi arrived in San Francisco late Friday. Her motorcade was seen arriving on the hospital the place her husband was being handled.
WHAT ARE INVESTIGATORS SAYING?
Scott, the San Francisco police chief, stated the assault was not a random act. “This was intentional,” he stated.
Police didn’t instantly affirm a motive, however three individuals with data of the investigation advised The Related Press that the assailant focused Pelosi’s dwelling.
The FBI and Capitol Police are additionally a part of the joint investigation.
WHO IS THE SUSPECT?
DePape was anticipated to be charged subsequent week with tried murder, assault with a lethal weapon, elder abuse and housebreaking. After his arrest, he was taken to a hospital, the place he remained as of Friday night.
DePape posted regularly on social media, usually making racist and rambling feedback that included questioning the outcomes of the 2020 election, defending former President Donald Trump and echoing QAnon conspiracy theories.
A two-decade resident of the San Francisco Bay Space, he was identified regionally as a pro-nudity activist who had picketed bare at protests towards legal guidelines requiring individuals to be clothed in public.
He grew up in Powell River, British Columbia, earlier than following an older girlfriend to California. He has three youngsters with two girls. Stepfather Gene DePape stated the suspect had lived with him in Canada till he was 14 and had been a quiet boy.
“He was reclusive,” stated Gene DePape. “He was by no means violent.”
HAVE OTHER MEMBERS OF CONGRESS BEEN THREATENED?
It’s been virtually two years for the reason that riot on the U.S. Capitol, when Trump supporters broke into the constructing and hunted for Pelosi and different members of Congress. Since then, threats to lawmakers and their households have elevated sharply.
The U.S. Capitol Police investigated virtually 10,000 threats to members final yr, greater than twice the quantity from 4 years earlier.
Lawmakers have pressed for higher safety, particularly for his or her households and their houses exterior of Washington. Safety officers have promised to pay for upgrades to sure safety techniques and an elevated Capitol Police presence exterior Washington. However the overwhelming majority of members are totally on their very own.
The assault on Paul Pelosi occurred when Nancy Pelosi was out of city, which meant there was much less of a safety presence of their dwelling.