United States House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband has been hospitalised after he was “violently assaulted” with a hammer in a horrific home invasion.
Mr Paul Pelosi, 82, was at the couple’s San Francisco home when the attacker broke in during the very early hours of Friday morning (local time) and began yelling “where is Nancy?, where is Nancy?”.
The attacker then tried to tie Mr Pelosi up “until Nancy got home” and when police arrived he said he was “waiting for Nancy.”
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Officers from San Francisco Police were called to the Pelosi’s home at around 2:30am and when they arrived they found the attacker and Mr Pelosi struggling over a hammer before the attacker began assaulting Mr Pelosi in front of the officers.
“The suspect pulled the hammer away from Mr Pelosi and violently assaulted him with it, our officers immediately tackled the suspect, disarmed him, took him into custody, requested emergency back up and rendered medical aid,” SFP Chief Bill Scott said.
Both men were taken to hospital and the attacker will be booked at the San Francisco County Jail on the charges of attempted homicide, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, burglary and several other felonies.
San Francisco Police identified the attacker as 42-year-old David DePape who has reportedly posted several conspiracy theories on Facebook about COVID-19 vaccines, the 2020 election and the January 6 riots.
A spokesperson for Ms Pelosi confirmed the Speaker’s husband had been “violently assaulted” at their San Francisco home and that he was likely to recover.
“Mr Pelosi was taken to the hospital, where he is receiving excellent medical care and is expected to make a full recovery,” the spokesperson said.
“The Speaker was not in San Francisco at the time.
“The Speaker and her family are grateful to the first responders and medical professionals involved, and request privacy at this time.”
Ms Pelosi is the second in line for the US Presidency should anything happen to President Joe Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pier released a statement saying 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 statement read.
“The President continues to condemn all violence, and asks that the family’s desire for privacy be respected.”
Politicians from both parties rushed to condemn the attack and support the Pelosis.
“What happened to Paul Pelosi was a dastardly act,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer tweeted.
“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.”
(Skynews)
