House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wrote that her husband is recovering after being attacked violently in the couple's San Francisco home early on Friday.
In a letter to fellow congressional members on Saturday night, assailants at the House Speaker's home reportedly yelled, "Where is Nancy?."
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wrote that her husband is recovering after being attacked violently in the couple's San Francisco home early on Friday. She noted that 82-year-old Paul Pelosi's condition is improving.
Nancy Pelosi Says Family Is Heartbroken And Traumatized After Violent Attack On Husband
According to the House Speaker, "Our grandchildren, children, and I are devastated and traumatized by our Pop's life-threatening attack.
We are grateful, however, to enable the quick response of law enforcement and emergency services and the lifesaving medical care he is receiving."
Authorities said a man broke into the home and attacked Paul Pelosi with a hammer. The suspect allegedly yelled, "Where is Nancy? Before committing the assault.
The speaker's office said that Paul Pelosi underwent successful surgery late Friday to treat severe injuries to his hands and right arm sustained in the attack.
Nancy Pelosi wrote in her letter, "Please know that the warm wishes and prayers from so many in Congress are a comfort to our family. It is helping Paull make progress with his recovery,".
Nancy Pelosi was in Washington, D.C., when the 42-year-old suspect, David Wayne Depape, from the nearby town of Berkeley, allegedly forced his way into the home through the back door at around 2 a.m. on Friday.
Police wouldn't usually comment on a motive but said this was targeted and not a random act. According to a top federal law enforcement official, Paul Pelosi was able to make a 911 call during the break-in and left the line open.
The dispatcher did not get a response when she asked what was wrong but did hear someone being threatened.
According to the official, the dispatcher, who had no idea whose house it was, decided to dispatch emergency services because someone's life appeared to be in danger.
San Francisco Police Chief William Scott commended the 911 dispatcher for her quick thinking and called her actions lifesaving.
Scott said, in his opinion, her actions resulted in a higher-priority dispatch and a faster police response. In addition, Scott said the responding officer witnessed when the suspect attacked Paul Pelosi with a hammer.
He told reporters that when the officers knocked on the front door, someone inside opened it to reveal Paul Pelosi and the suspect struggling to control a hammer inside the home's entryway.
After officers told the two men to drop the hammer, Scott stated that the suspect yanked it from Pelosi's grasp and violently attacked her with it.
Officers then entered the home, tackled the suspect, seized the hammer, and arrested him, according to Scott. According to authorities, the suspect will be charged with elder abuse, attempted homicide, assault with a deadly weapon, burglary, and several additional felonies.
The attack comes less than two weeks before the midterm elections. President Biden described the incident as despicable at a Democratic party fundraiser on Friday night in Pennsylvania.
Mr. Biden said there is too much political violence, too much hatred, and too much abuse.