Paul Pelosi awoke twice in the early hours of Oct. 28. The first time he groggily discovered a hammer-wielding intruder in his bedroom asking for his wife, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The second time, he regained consciousness in a pool of his own blood, having suffered a fractured skull grappling with the assailant in front of police.
State and federal prosecutors who charged the suspect – David DePape, 42, of Richmond, California – with attempting to murder Paul Pelosi said he was on a suicide mission, threatening to kneecap Nancy Pelosi and hunt down other unspecified public officials, according to court documents.
“It is certainly something that has unnerved us all,” San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins told reporters of the attack, referring to tragedies with past political leaders such as the such as the 1978 assassinations of San Francisco Mayor George Moscone and city Supervisor Harvey Milk. “It’s something we have to take very seriously.”
Paul Pelosi released from hospital:House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband left a San Francisco hospital Thursday
DePape, who is being held at the San Francisco County Jail, faces 13 years to life in prison if convicted of state charges including attempted murder, burglary and elder abuse. He has pleaded not guilty and has a hearing scheduled Friday. Federal prosecutors charged him with assault on a relative of a federal official and attempted kidnapping of a federal official.
Paul Pelosi was released from the hospital Thursday.
Here is what we know about the attack that began just after 2 a.m., from court records and news conferences, as authorities piece together police reports, video from body-worn cameras, a recording of the 911 call and other evidence:
San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announces the charges against David DePape during a news conference with San Francisco Police Department Chief Bill Scott, right, in San Francisco on Monday. DePape is accused of attacking House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband with a hammer.
A break-in, a startling wake-up and then a question: ‘Where’s Nancy?’
David DePape allegedly said he knew he would be caught on Ring security cameras positioned around the exterior of the Pacific Heights house. But he was surprised to find Paul Pelosi, 82, still asleep after the noise he made smashing the window of a glass door to get inside.
Pelosi, who was sleeping in a pajama top and boxer shorts, startled awake to find DePape allegedly standing over him with a hammer in his right hand and several white zip ties in his left hand.
“Are you Paul Pelosi?” DePape allegedly asked. “Where’s Nancy? Where’s Nancy?”
Pelosi responded groggily after being awakened. “She’s not here,” he said.
“Well, when is she coming back?” DePape asked.
“She’s in Washington, she’s not going to be back for a couple of days,” Pelosi said.
DePape then threatened to tie up Paul Pelosi about 10 times.
“OK, well, I’m going to tie you up,” DePape said.
Paul Pelosi stood up and tried to leave by an elevator near the bedroom, but DePape held the door and prevented his escape. DePape later told police he blocked the door because he thought it led to a safe room.
News Near You
FOR SUBSCRIBERS
Cincinnati
‘Once you take that step, there’s no going back’: How a Uvalde mother and doctor torn by tragedy became activists
More for Subscribers
Pelosi then sat back down on the bed and asked why DePape wanted to see his wife.
“Well, she’s No. 2 in line for the presidency, right?” DePape allegedly said. “We’ve got to take them all out.”
Pelosi asked if he could call anyone for DePape, but he allegedly “ominously responded that it was the end of the road for Mr. Pelosi.”
Capitol Police chief:'More resources' needed after attack on Paul Pelosi
Police tape blocks a street outside the home of Paul Pelosi, the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in San Francisco. Paul Pelosi was attacked in the home early Friday.
'Uh, I've got a problem': Paul Pelosi calls 911 with DePape watching
Pelosi then asked to use the bathroom, which DePape allowed. Pelosi’s cellphone was charging in the bathroom, so he turned it on and called 911 at 2:23 a.m. and put the phone on its speaker function.
DePape later told police he knew the call was being recorded, but felt Pelosi had pushed him into a corner by making the call. DePape watched him from about 3 feet away while still holding the hammer and zip ties. During the call, Pelosi explained to the dispatcher a man was waiting for Nancy Pelosi to come back, but that she wouldn’t be back for about a day. DePape gestured and told Pelosi to get off the phone.
To defuse the situation, Paul Pelosi told the dispatcher that he did not need police, fire or medical assistance. But Pelosi then asked for Capitol Police because they are usually at the house protecting his wife. The San Francisco police dispatcher, Heather Grives, said he called city police and Pelosi said he understood.
