Suspect in attack on Pelosi’s husband was carrying zip ties: report

The suspect accused of the shocking attack on the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was carrying zip ties when he broke into their San Francisco home, an echo of the Jan. 6, 2021 assault on the U.S. Capitol, the Associated Press reported Sunday.

The attacker smashed 82-year-old Paul Pelosi with a hammer and demanded to know “Where is Nancy?” during the break-in early Friday morning.

Rioters who thronged the Capitol as lawmakers were meeting to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election shouted loud calls of “Where’s Nancy?” and some were carrying zip ties.

The suspect in the Pelosi attack, David DePape, 42, faces charges of attempted murder, assault, elder abuse and other felonies. He is expected to be arraigned early this week.

The source who said DePape was carrying zip ties was briefed on the investigation but not authorized to discuss the case publicly and wanted to remain anonymous, the AP said.

Paul Pelosi underwent surgery for a skull fracture and also suffered injuries to his arms and hands, his wife’s office said.

“Our children, our grandchildren and I are heartbroken and traumatized by the life-threatening attack on our Pop,” she said in a letter late Saturday to colleagues. “We are grateful for the quick response of law enforcement and emergency services, and for the life-saving medical care he is receiving.”

He “continues to improve” and remained hospitalized, she said.

Coming just ahead of the Nov. 8 midterm elections, the attack has served as a horrific reminder of the country’s ugly political climate.

Nancy Pelosi was in Washington when her husband was attacked but quickly returned home.

Police said Paul Pelosi and his attacker struggled over a hammer before officers answering a 911 call to the home witnessed Pelosi being struck at least once.

The suspect had posted online about QAnon, an extreme right-wing conspiracy theory that claims the U.S. is secretly run by an organization of child sex traffickers, pedophiles and cannibals.

With News Wire Services