Early Friday morning, Paul Pelosi, husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, was brutally attacked in his San Francisco home by a man wielding a hammer.
According to law enforcement, the attacker entered the Pelosi home through a back entrance. Since Speaker Pelosi was not present at the time, her security detail was not monitoring the home because spouses of congress members do not have security assigned to them.
In a brief statement following the attack, San Fransisco Police Chief William Scott identified the suspect as 42-year-old David Depape, who is a resident of Berkeley, and confirmed he is in police custody.
According to a source who spoke with CNN, after entering the residence, Depape began shouting “Where is Nancy? Where is Nancy?”
Depape then attacked Pelosi, 82, with a hammer, causing blunt force injuries to his head and body. While the extent of his injuries are not totally clear, he has been taken to the hospital for treatment and will be undergoing brain surgery.
As far as the public knows at this time, Pelosi is expected to make a full recovery.
Speaker Pelosi’s spokesperson, Drew Hammill, commented on the attack, saying, “The Speaker and her family are grateful to the first responders and medical professionals involved, and request privacy at this time.”
President Joe Biden reportedly called Speaker Pelosi to “express his support after this horrible attack.”
Senator Ted Cruz, while a major critic of Speaker Pelosi, put his political grievances aside and posted a message of condolences and well-wishes for Paul on Twitter.
He wrote,
“What happened to Paul Pelosi last night is horrific.
Heidi & I are praying for him & Nancy & the entire Pelosi family. May God’s protection be upon them.
We can have our political difference, but violence is always wrong & unacceptable.”
What happened to Paul Pelosi last night is horrific.
Heidi & I are praying for him & Nancy & the entire Pelosi family. May God’s protection be upon them.
We can have our political differences, but violence is always wrong & unacceptable.
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) October 28, 2022
Depape is currently being held on attempted homicide, assault with a deadly weapon, and other charges. The motive is still under investigation.
Earlier this year, Paul pled guilty to DUI charges after he caused a serious collision while driving home from a party. He was sentenced to three years probation and five days of jail time.