In a Friday press briefing, the San Francisco Police Department provided more information on the early morning break-in and assault of Paul Pelosi, husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, including what officers found when they arrived at Pelosi's home and the identity of the suspect who was apprehended at the scene.
Authorities said officers were dispatched at 2:27 a.m. PT for a "priority wellbeing check" at the home of Speaker and Mr. Pelosi — as Townhall reported earlier, the Speaker was not at home at the time of the attack.
When they arrived, SFPD officers "observed Mr. Pelosi and suspect both holding a hammer. The suspect pulled the hammer away from Mr. Pelosi and violently assaulted him with it," at which point "officers immediately tackled the suspect, disarmed him, took him into custody, requested emergency back up, and rendered medical aid" to Paul Pelosi.
Authorities also announced that the suspect they arrested is one David DePape, age 42, reportedly from Berkeley per The San Francisco Chronicle.
BREAKING: San Francisco police describe the attack on Paul Pelosi. pic.twitter.com/BQjYMh99TC
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) October 28, 2022
Initial reporting following the SFPD's confirmation of the suspect's identity turned up a man known as "a former Castro nudist protester" and "hemp jewelry maker" who was reportedly estranged from his family, struggled with drug addiction, and at least for a while lived in a a storage container.
My sources also name the suspect in this morning's hammer attack on Paul Pelosi as David DePape, born 1980, of Berkeley.
— Joe Eskenazi (@EskSF) October 28, 2022
He would appear to be a former Castro nudist protester.
Things appear set to be bizarre for a while.
Two sources told CNN he was homeless, mentally ill, and addicted to hard drugs:
— Michael Shellenberger (@ShellenbergerMD) October 28, 2022
"Laura Hayes, who also lives in California, said she worked with DePape for a few months roughly a decade ago making hemp bracelets when he was living in a storage shed in the Berkeley area."
San Francisco police said that their investigation remains open and ongoing while "the motive for this attack is still being determined." Meanwhile, DePape is being booked on a laundry list of charges, including attempted homicide, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, and several additional felonies.
"The motive for this attack is still being determined." pic.twitter.com/xyD9IDgVxw
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) October 28, 2022
An update on Paul Pelosi's condition after being hospitalized following the assault has still not been given as of Friday afternoon.
This is a developing story and may be updated.