A man who attacked House Speaker Nancy Pelosi‘s husband over the head with a hammer, shouting “Where is Nancy?”, faces charges of attempted murder and other felonies a day after the violent break-in at the couple’s San Francisco home. Police initially declined to offer a motive for yesterday’s attack on Paul Pelosi, 82, who according to his wife’s office underwent surgery for a skull fracture and injuries to his right arm and hands, though doctors expect a full recovery.
The assault has stoked fears about political violence less than two weeks ahead of midterm elections on 8 November that will decide control of the House of Representatives and Senate, coming amid the most vitriolic and polarized political climate in decades.
Man Who Attacked Nancy Pelosi’s Husband Now Facing Murder Charges
The 82-year-old House speaker herself, a Democrat who is second in the constitutional line of succession to the US presidency, was in Washington with her protective detail at the time of the assault. She flew to San Francisco to be with her husband. In the search for a motive, attention turned to the suspect’s apparent internet profile.
Police identified the man arrested at the scene by officers who intervened in the attack as David Depape, 42. He, too, was taken to a San Francisco hospital. Online sheriff’s records showed he was booked into custody on suspicion of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, battery, burglary, and several other felonies. The intruder shouted, “Where is Nancy?” before attacking, according to a person briefed on the incident but who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity.
San Francisco Police Chief William Scott told news briefing last night that police detectives, assisted by FBI agents, had yet to determine what precipitated the home invasion but said, “We know this was not a random act.”
The incident came a day after New York City police warned that extremists could target politicians, political events and polling sites ahead of the midterm elections. We will update you with all of the latest details as they come in.
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