The man who attacked Paul Pelosi, the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, tried to tie him up “until Nancy came home,” according to two sources familiar with the situation. When the police arrived, the assailant said he was “waiting for Nancy.”
Paul Pelosi was attacked with a hammer at the couple’s San Francisco home by a male assailant early Friday morning, law enforcement sources told CNN. The gunman who attacked Paul Pelosi was looking for the speaker of the House, according to a source briefed on the attack. The intruder confronted the speaker’s husband at their home in San Francisco yelling, “Where’s Nancy? Where’s Nancy?’ according to the source.
Pelosi, 82, was taken to the hospital but is expected to make a full recovery, the Democratic president’s office said in a statement. Pelosi underwent surgery this morning, according to two sources familiar with the situation. His doctors told the family he is expected to make a full recovery, the sources said.
Speaker Pelosi was able to speak with her husband after the attack and before he was taken into surgery, according to a source familiar with the matter.
Paul Pelosi underwent surgery for head injuries, the source said, but did not elaborate on the treatment.
Speaker Pelosi is returning to San Francisco with her family to be with her husband, a source told CNN Friday afternoon.
The attack shocked Washington and sparked an outpouring of condolences and condemnation from congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle. It comes as fears of political violence directed at lawmakers remain high following the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol as well as other high-profile violent incidents targeting members of Congress in recent years.
Drew Hamill, a spokesman for Nancy Pelosi, said the shooter is in custody and a motive is being investigated. The speaker was in Washington at the time of the attack, a spokesman said.
“The speaker and her family are grateful to the first responders and medical professionals involved and ask for privacy at this time,” Hamill said in his statement.
At a news conference, Chief William Scott of the San Francisco Police Department identified 42-year-old David DePap as the suspect and provided a description of what law enforcement officers saw when they arrived at the scene.
When officers arrived at the residence, Scott said, they encountered “an adult male and Mr. Pelosi’s husband, Paul.” Scott went on to say that “the suspect pulled a hammer away from Mr. Pelosi and violently attacked him with it. Our officers immediately confronted the suspect, disarmed him, arrested him, called for emergency assistance and provided medical attention. The suspect has been identified as 42-year-old David Depp.
Scott said a motive is still being determined.
The man who allegedly attacked Paul Pelosi early Friday posted memes and conspiracy theories on Facebook about Covid vaccines, the 2020 election and the Jan. 6 attack, and an acquaintance told CNN he seemed “out of touch with reality”.
US Capitol Police said in a statement earlier this morning that they are assisting the FBI and San Francisco police “in a joint investigation” into the break-in at the Pelosi residence in California.
The assailant entered the Pelosi residence through the back of the house, according to two sources familiar with the initial details of the incident.
With President Pelosi away, there would be no security detail at the residence, according to a source familiar with the protocol.
There may be video that US Capitol Police and law enforcement can review as there are security cameras in the home, according to two law enforcement sources.
President Joe Biden spoke with Speaker Pelosi, the White House announced.
“The President is praying for Paul Pelosi and all of President Pelosi’s family. This morning he called President Pelosi to express his support in the wake of this horrific attack,” spokeswoman Karin Jean-Pierre said in a statement.
He continued: “He is also very happy that a full recovery is expected. The President continues to condemn all violence and asks that the family’s wish for privacy be respected.”
Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell tweeted Friday that he was “horrified and disgusted” by reports that Pelosi was attacked at his home.
“Thankful to hear that Paul is on track for a full recovery and that law enforcement, including the stellar Capitol Police, is on the case,” the Kentucky Republican said.
House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy contacted Speaker Pelosi after the attack, according to McCarthy’s office.
“Chief McCarthy reached out to the speaker to check on Paul and said he is praying for a full recovery and is thankful the shooter was caught,” said Mark Bednar, McCarthy’s spokesman.
The Pelos have been married since 1963 and have five children.
This story and title have been updated with additional developments.
