“Our children, our grandchildren and I are heartbroken and traumatized by the attack which puts the life of our Pop in danger”, wrote Nancy Pelosi, this Sunday October 30, in an open letter shared on Twitter.
Paul Pelosi, her 82-year-old husband, was attacked overnight from Friday to Saturday at their California home by a man named David Depape, 42.
The latter, armed with a hammer, would have struck him at least once.
Urgently hospitalized, the husband of the leader of the democrats had to undergo surgery and now seems out of danger.
"His condition continues to improve," the letter read.
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As clarified by the San Francisco police, the men sent to the scene by the latter found that evening the attacker and Paul Pelosi arguing with a hammer.
"The suspect ripped Mr. Pelosi's gavel away and violently assaulted him with it," police chief Bill Scott told reporters.
The attacker is charged with attempted homicide, assault with a deadly weapon, burglary and other misdemeanors.
“It was not a random act (…) it was intentional,” he continued.
Where is Nancy?
According to preliminary information, the man in question originally wanted to attack Nancy Pelosi.
In her letter, the latter said she was grateful “for the rapid response of law enforcement and emergency services” and also gave more details on the conditions of the attack.
“The suspect demanded to see me and brutally attacked my husband,” she wrote.
At the same time, local media reported that the individual allegedly shouted "Where is Nancy?".
In addition, sources close to the family told several American media that the assailant wanted to tie Paul Pelosi and wait for the arrival of his wife.
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According to police officers quoted by the
Wall Street Journal
, and according to information found on the social networks of the alleged accused, David Depape would be an extreme right-wing activist.
In recent months, many elected officials have sounded the alarm about the resurgence of violence targeting the American political class.
Republican Senator Susan Collins said she was "horrified" by the attack, saying she wouldn't be "surprised" if an elected official or senator "gets killed."