Nancy Pelosi’s husband suffers skull fracture after attack; suspect charged with attempted murder

A hammer-wielding attacker who violently assaulted the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi inside the family’s San Francisco home was targeting the longtime California lawmaker, the city's police chief said late Friday.

"Everybody should be disgusted about what happened this morning," San Francisco Police Chief William Scott said at a press conference, hours after the attack that left Paul Pelosi with a skull fracture. “This was not a random act. This was intentional.”

• The suspect, who was arrested after the early morning Friday break-in, called out "Where is Nancy?" a person familiar with the matter said.

• Scott identified the alleged assailant as 42-year-old David DePape of Berkeley, California.

• DePape was charged with multiple crimes, including attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon and elder abuse.

• Who is David DePape? Suspect has 'strong opinions,' family member said.

• Paul Pelosi underwent surgery for a skull fracture, a family spokesman said.

• He suffered blunt force trauma to his head and body and was treated for a skull fracture. Pelosi, 82, is expected to make a full recovery, the speaker's office said.

• Nancy Pelosi, who is second in line to the presidency, was in Washington at the time of the assault.

Who is David DePape?: What we know (so far) about the suspect who attacked Paul Pelosi

Here's what we know:

Police identify suspect in Paul Pelosi attack as David DePape

Scott identified the alleged assailant as 42-year-old David DePape, a resident of Berkeley, California. 

DePape faces attempted homicide, other charges

San Francisco Sheriff's records show David Wayne DePape was booked into the local jail at 1:27 p.m. local time. No bond had been set.

He's charged with attempted murder; burglary of a residence; assault with a deadly weapon; threatening a family member of a public official; dissuading a witness from reporting a crime; elder abuse; battery with serious bodily injury; and damaging a wireless device.

San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said local prosecutors are working with local federal authorities in the continuing investigation. "We will bring forward multiple felony charges on Monday and expect DePape to be arraigned on Tuesday. DePape will be held accountable for his heinous crimes," Jenkins tweeted late Friday.

DePape ‘violently assaulted’ Pelosi with hammer

The chief said the suspect had gained access to the house in the Pacific Heights section by "forced entry" at the rear of the home.

Police arrived at the Pelosi residence at 2:27 a.m. as part of a “priority well-being check,” Scott said. He said that when officers arrived, they encountered a man and Paul Pelosi. Both were holding a hammer.

The suspect took the hammer away from Pelosi and “violently assaulted” Pelosi, according to Scott. Officers then immediately tackled the suspect, disarmed him and took him into custody.

Police said Paul Pelosi was able to call 911 during the attack. He was able to communicate the level of danger he was in, even though the suspect was in earshot, Scott said at Friday's press briefing.

"What he (Pelosi) said, she (the dispatcher) felt there was something more to it," the chief said, crediting the dispatcher for the quick response.

The chief said the response of the dispatcher and responding officers may have been "life saving."

Paul Pelosi underwent surgery for skull fracture; full recovery expected

Paul Pelosi underwent successful surgery following Friday morning’s attack, according to Drew Hammill, Nancy Pelosi's spokesman.

“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," Hamill said in a statement. "His doctors expect a full recovery."

The attacker threatened Paul Pelosi life while demanding to see the speaker, Hammill said.

“The Speaker and her family are thankful for the outpouring of support and prayers from friends, constituents and people around the country," Hammill said. "The Pelosi family is immensely grateful to Mr. Pelosi’s entire medical team and the law enforcement officers who responded to the assault."

Secret Service and Capitol Police were guarding the hospital, reports said.

Who is David DePape? Suspect in Paul Pelosi attack has 'strong opinions,' family member said

Teresa DePape, who is married to the suspect’s stepfather living in Powell River, British Columbia, told USA TODAY that DePape had left the area for California about 20 years ago.

“I didn’t know David to be a violent person,” she said. “But he was an aggressive speaker.”

The family had not been in regular contact with the suspect, but Teresa DePape said David emailed his stepfather a couple years ago, indicating that he would visit the area and did not follow up.

“Estranged sounds too heavy,” she said, characterizing the suspect’s relationship.

Who is David DePape?: What we know (so far) about the suspect who attacked Paul Pelosi

Motive for attack still under investigation, chief says

Scott said the motive for the attack remained under investigation and did not address reports that the suspect was looking for the speaker.

The joint inquiry involving U.S. Capitol Police, the FBI and San Francisco Police appeared to underscore law enforcement's increasing focus on the risk to public officials in the volatile political climate

Jan. 6 hearing: Video shows Nancy Pelosi faced risk of violence as angry mob hunted her in Capitol  

Homeland Security warns extremists pose threat to midterm elections

A nationwide Department of Homeland Security memo Friday warned that "domestic violent extremists (DVEs) across the ideological spectrum pose a heightened threat to the 2022 midterm elections."

The memo, issued the same day as the Pelosi attack, said lone offenders with heightened election-related zealotry may justify violent attacks.

"Violence will largely be dependent on drivers such as personalized ideological grievances and the accessibility of potential targets throughout the election cycle." said the memo, obtained by USA TODAY.

As of June 2022, the DOJ and FBI have reviewed more than 1,000 communications reported as "abusive, harassing, or intimidating," and determined 11 percent met federal criteria for further investigative action, the memo said. While many of the communications reviewed by the FBI and DOJ appear to stem from perceptions of voter fraud, the communications are not specific to any single ideology or group.

Past threats to election officials and workers have included attempts to intimidate them in the performance of their duties. The FBI assesses the majority of future threats to election workers in 2022 are likely to occur in states or counties where recounts, audits, or public election disputes occur, the memo said.

-- Kevin Johnson

‘Enough is enough’: Biden denounces attack on Paul Pelosi

President Joe Biden opened his remarks at a Democratic Party dinner in Pennsylvania by denouncing the attack against Paul Pelosi and offering prayers for the Pelosi family.

Biden said Pelosi is in “good spirits” and noted that Nancy Pelosi may have been the actual target. He cited news reports that the suspected assailant asked “where’s Nancy” and pointed out that the same chant was yelled by the members of the mob that attacked the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

“This is despicable,” he said. “…There's too much violence, political violence, too much hatred, too much vitriol.”

Biden referenced false claims by some Republicans about stolen elections and COVID being a hoax and wondered how they could not realize that such rhetoric would “corrode the political climate” and affect people “who may not be so well balanced.”

“Enough is enough,” he said. “Every person of good conscience needs to clearly and unambiguously stand up against the violence in our politics regardless of what your politics are.”

-- Michael Collins

Threats against lawmakers on the rise since 2017

While law enforcement authorities said Friday that the motive for the attack against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband remained under investigation, the assault underscored the deep concern for a recent surge in threats against lawmakers in the past five years.

The number of threats and so-called “concerning statements” tracked by the United States Capitol Police jumped from nearly 4,000 in 2017 to 9,625 in 2021, according to department data.

Responding to an examination of operations in the aftermath of the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol attack, Capitol Police last year cited the rising threat number.

“Provided the unique threat environment we currently live in, the department is confident the number of cases will continue to increase,” the agency said in a May 2021 statement.

The specific targeting of Pelosi recalled some of the most troubling moments of the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol assault when rioters sought out the speaker, screaming her name as they stalked the halls and later ransacked her office.

Rep. Bennie Thompson, speaking his role as chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, called Friday's attack on Paul Pelosi "abhorrent."

“Every elected official, regardless of political party, should be outraged and publicly condemn what happened today in no uncertain terms," Thompson said.

He called the attack a symptom of a much larger problem.

"We have seen a rise in domestic terrorism fueled in part by violent, racist, antisemitic, anti-democratic rhetoric," Thompson said. "From Charlottesville to January 6, armed attackers sought to impose their views on their fellow citizens not with their vote, but with their fist. Members of Congress and other Federal, State, and local officials have received death threats. So-called vigilantes have been intimidating voters at ballot drop-boxes and harassing local election officials. America is better than this."

Neighborhood is 'pretty horrified' at brazenness of the attack

The Pelosi large red-brick home is located along a long hilly stretch filled with colorful multi-story Victorian-,  Spanish-style mansions alongside modern-looking renovated homes.

Officers Friday afternoon checked IDs to let residents who live on the block come and go while police and the FBI conducted its investigation.

Many residents said they were awakened by the early morning sounds of police sirens, a common occurrence in the city. Many said they were also surprised that a private security patrol wasn’t around at the time.

Jack Bastian, 26, who lives a couple of blocks away, describes the neighborhood with majestic homes as “where the old money in San Francisco lives,” including San Francisco’s power elite and rich tech executives. Many of the homes have scenic views of the city including the Golden Gate and Bay Bridge and within walking distance from the Pacific Ocean.

Bastian said he was “pretty horrified” to know that someone would think it’s acceptable to break into a public official’s home. But Bastian said he was “not surprised considering the political rhetoric that’s out here” so close to the midterm elections.

Stopping by while walking her dog, Liz Orvos, 59, who also lives a couple of blocks away, said the incident is “very, very sad” and that “I wished I was more surprised, but not given the country’s current political climate.”

“It’s a little scary, to be honest,” said Orvos, who moved to San Francisco from Charlotte, North Carolina, six months ago. “I hope this doesn’t intimidate people from voting, because we all need to vote now more than ever.”

-- Terry Collins

Capitol Police announced offices to protect members of Congress last year

Last year, U.S. Capitol Police announced it was opening regional field offices in California and Florida to better protect members of Congress.

“The USCP has enhanced our staffing within our Dignitary Protection Division as well as coordinated for enhanced security for Members of Congress outside of the National Capitol Region,” the USCP said in July 2021.

Biden, Schumer, Harris offer support for Pelosi

The attack raises additional questions about the safety of members of Congress and their families as threats to lawmakers are at an all-time high almost two years after the violent Capitol insurrection.

“What happened to Paul Pelosi was a dastardly act," Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement. "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.”

President Joe Biden called the speaker to "express his support after this horrible attack" and is praying for Paul Pelosi and the Pelosi family, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. "He is also very glad that a full recovery is expected," she said.

Vice President Kamala Harris said she and second gentleman Doug Emhoff are "appalled" by the attack.

"The entire Pelosi family is in our hearts and we wish him a speedy recovery," she wrote in a tweet.

Former President Obama says politics 'too amped up'

Barack Obama said Friday evening while campaigning in Atlanta for Democrats.that politics has gotten too heated.

“I want to take a moment to just say a prayer for a friend of mine, Paul Pelosi, who was attacked,” the former president said.

After a moment of silence, he complained that politics has gotten too emotionally charged.

“All of this has been amped up,” he said, blaming social media and platforms he said prioritize the more profitable conflict and controversy ahead of telling the truth. “So I get why people are anxious."

But Obama, who campaigned on hope during his presidential runs, said the country must not despair.

-- Candy Woodall

Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell: 'Disgusted'

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said he’s “horrified and disgusted” by reports of the assault on Paul 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 said in a statement.

McCarthy reached out to Pelosi and is 'praying for a full recovery'

House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy reached out to Pelosi “to check in on Paul and said he’s praying for a full recovery and is thankful they caught the assailant,” said McCarthy’s office in a statement.

House GOP Whip Steve Scalise, said he was “Disgusted to hear about the horrific assault on Speaker Pelosi’s husband Paul,” in a statement.

In 2017, Scalise was shot in a politically motivated attack at a practice session for the annual Congressional Baseball Game.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom: Attack consequence of rhetoric

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, the former mayor of San Francisco, said the attack "is yet another example of the dangerous consequences of the divisive and hateful rhetoric that is putting lives at risk and undermining our very democracy and Democratic institutions. Those who are using their platforms to incite violence must be held to account."

Republican Sen. Susan Collins 'horrified' by attack

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, who released threatening letters and calls she received this spring after protests outside the homes of Supreme Court justices, said her prayers were with Pelosi, her husband and family.

“I am horrified by this vicious attack on Paul Pelosi at his home,” Collins said.

Republican Sen. Ted Cruz calls assault on Paul Pelosi 'horrific'

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, a frequent critic of the speaker, called Paul Pelosi’s assault “horrific” and said he’s praying for the Pelosi family.

“May God’s protection be upon them. We can have our political differences, but violence is always wrong & unacceptable,” Cruz said in a tweet.

Paul Pelosi's stock trading the subject of scrutiny

Paul Pelosi pleaded guilty in August to a misdemeanor of driving under the influence charge after he was involved in a May crash in Napa Valley and recorded a .082% blood alcohol level, above the legal limit. He was sentenced to five days in jail and three years of probation.

Paul Pelosi, a wealthy investor, has drawn scrutiny from Republicans for successful stock trades they say are tied to policy.

Speaker Pelosi has access to confidential intelligence and the ability to influence policy decisions that could potentially impact publicly traded companies. Facing public pressure, Congress has debated whether members should be able to buy and sell stocks.

The speaker in December said it’s “a free-market economy” and members should be able to participate in the stock market. Earlier this year, Pelosi said the House would introduce a bill that would ban lawmakers from trading, but it hasn’t reached a floor vote.

Members of Congress have received additional money for security at their homes, but some have pushed for more protection as people have shown up at their homes and as members have received an increasing amount of threatening communications.

This is a developing story. USA TODAY will continue to update.

Contributing: AP

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Paul Pelosi attacked at home; suspect faces attempted murder charges