Paul Pelosi, a businessman and venture capitalist, and the husband of U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), successfully underwent surgery to his skull on Friday morning, after surviving a physical attack by someone who police say tried to kill him.
“Earlier this morning, Paul Pelosi was attacked at home by an assailant who acted with force, and threatened his life while demanding to see the Speaker,” spokesman for Nancy Pelosi’s office, Drew Hammill, said in a statement late Friday.
“Mr. Pelosi was admitted to Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital where he underwent successful surgery to repair a skull fracture and serious injuries to his right arm and hands. His doctors expect a full recovery.
“The Speaker and her family are thankful for the outpouring of support and prayers from friends, constituents, and people around the country. The Pelosi family is immensely grateful to Mr. Pelosi’s entire medical team and the law enforcement officers who responded to the assault. The family appreciates respect for their privacy during this time.”
A San Francisco Police Department spokesperson earlier confirmed to The Epoch Times that an 82-year-old male was attacked during an early morning break-in at a home in the 2600 block of Broadway, and that officers responded at approximately 2:27 a.m.
Hammer Attack
The suspect, 42-year-old David DePape, was arrested at the Pelosi home early Friday. He is being booked into jail on charges including attempted homicide, San Francisco Police Chief William Scott told a press conference. DePape will also face assault with deadly weapon, elder abuse, burglary, and several other additional felonies, Scott said.
Pelosi and DePape were both transported to a local hospital for treatment of their injuries, Scott noted.
At a news conference late Friday, Scott provided more details of when police arrived at the Pelosi home. He said that when they knocked on the front door, the door was “opened by someone inside,” but didn’t specify who that person was.
Scott said that officers then stood at the door and watched as Paul Pelosi struggled over control of a hammer with the attacker, before the attacker snatched the hammer and hit Pelosi in the head at least once, after which officers ran in and tackled the suspect.
Stepfather Gene DePape said the suspect had lived with him in Canada until he was 14, but that he hasn’t seen his stepson since 2003 and hasn’t been able to get in touch with him despite several attempts, reported The Associated Press.
The suspect had been a quiet boy and “was never in any trouble although he was very reclusive and played too much video games,” he added.
Separately, The Guardian reported that “a relative said [the suspect] DePape has mental health issues and refused contact with family.” The outlet did not name the relative.
San Francisco has been dealing with a spike in crime in recent years.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) condemned the attack. “What happened to Paul Pelosi was a dastardly act,” he wrote on Twitter. “I spoke with Speaker Pelosi earlier this morning and conveyed my deepest concern and heartfelt wishes to her husband and their family, and I wish him a speedy recovery.”
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said on Friday he is “horrified and disgusted” by reports of the attack on Pelosi. “Grateful to hear that Paul is on track to make a full recovery and that law enforcement including our stellar Capitol Police are on the case,” McConnell added.
A statement from the White House reads: “The President is praying for Paul Pelosi and for Speaker Pelosi’s whole family. This morning he called Speaker Pelosi to express his support after this horrible attack.
“He is also very glad that a full recovery is expected. The President continues to condemn all violence, and asks that the family’s desire for privacy be respected.”
It wasn’t immediately clear whether DePape has retained a lawyer.
From The Epoch Times