SAN FRANCISCO –
A man stormed into the home of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in San Francisco and brutally beat her 82-year-old husband, Paul Pelosi, with a hammer early Friday while the Democratic congressman was at the house. Washington.
Paul Pelosi had surgery to repair a skull fracture and serious injuries to his right arm and hand, and his doctors hope for a full recovery, the speaker’s office said.
David DePape, 42, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, elder abuse and theft, police said.
“This was not a random act. This was intentional. And it was wrong,” San Francisco Police Chief William Scott said.
The violence is the latest shock to a political system increasingly divided with extremism.
Consider what is known about the attack and the suspect:
WHAT HAPPENED?
An intruder with a hammer smashed through the back door of the Pelosi mansion in San Francisco just before 2:30 a.m. Friday. The man faced Paul Pelosi and shouted, “Where is Nancy,” according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss it.
Paul Pelosi personally called 911 and when police arrived, they found him struggling with the assailant. The man attempted to strike Pelosi at least once with a hammer before he was intercepted and arrested by officers, police said.
Nancy Pelosi was in Washington at the time of the attack.
HOW DOES PAUL PELOSI WORK?
He underwent surgery to repair a skull fracture and serious injuries to his right arm and hand, and his doctors expect a full recovery, the actor’s office said. fake said on Friday. There were no updates on his condition on Saturday.
Nancy Pelosi arrived in San Francisco late on Friday. Her convoy was seen arriving at the hospital where her husband was receiving treatment.
The couple has been married since 1963.
WHAT DOES THE Investigator SAY?
Scott, the San Francisco police chief, said the attack was not a random act. “This is intentional,” he said.
Police did not immediately confirm a motive, but three people with knowledge of the investigation told The Associated Press that the attacker targeted Pelosi’s home.
The FBI and Capitol Police are also part of the joint investigation.
WHO IS THE GOODbye?
DePape is expected to be charged next week with attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse and theft. After his arrest, he was taken to the hospital, where he remained until Friday night.
DePape regularly posts on social media, often making racist and rambling comments including questioning the 2020 election results, defending former President Donald Trump and repeating his conspiracy theories. QAnon.
A two-decade resident of the San Francisco Bay Area, he is known locally as a pro-nudity activist who has gone topless at protests against legislation requiring all people wearing clothes in public places.
He grew up in Powell River, British Columbia, before following an elderly girlfriend to California. He had three children with two women. Stepfather Gene DePape said the suspect lived with him in Canada until the age of 14 and was a quiet boy.
Gene DePape said: “He was a recluse. “He was never violent.”
ARE THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE CONFERENCE HAPPENED?
It has been almost two years since the riots on the US Capitol, when Trump supporters broke into the building and hunted down Pelosi and other members of Congress. Since then, threats to lawmakers and their families have increased dramatically.
US Capitol Police investigated nearly 10,000 threats against members last year, more than double the number four years earlier.
Lawmakers have pressed for better security, especially for families and their homes outside of Washington. Security officials have promised to pay to upgrade certain security systems and increase the Capitol Police presence outside Washington, D.C. But the vast majority of members are mostly their own.
The attack on Paul Pelosi happened while Nancy Pelosi was out of town, meaning there was little security presence in their home.
