Topline
The man who allegedly attacked House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband Paul Pelosi on Friday brought multiple zip ties to the Pelosis’ house, multiple news outlets reported Sunday, after authorities revealed the suspect came to the home in search of the speaker.
Paul Pelosi and Nancy Pelosi attend the TIME 100 Gala Red Carpet.
Key Facts
Suspect David DePape carried a bag containing zip ties, duct tape and “other things,” CNN first reported on Sunday, citing an anonymous source briefed on the matter (the Associated Press later confirmed the zip ties, also citing a person briefed on the attack).
The news comes after police said DePape shouted “Where’s Nancy? Where’s Nancy?” after he broke into the Pelosi family’s San Francisco home early Friday morning, with CNN reporting the assailant tried to tie up Paul Pelosi during the attack.
The San Francisco Police Department and a spokesperson for the House speaker’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Forbes.
Key Background
Police said they saw 82-year-old Paul Pelosi and 42-year-old DePape struggling over a hammer before DePape grabbed it and assaulted Pelosi. The officers then tackled and disarmed DePape, according to San Francisco Police Chief William Scott. DePape was charged with attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse and other felonies. Paul Pelosi’s condition continues to improve, his wife said Saturday. DePape had reportedly shared several conspiracy theories relating to the 2020 presidential election, Covid-19 vaccines and other false information on his Facebook page. Many elected officials say they have faced an onslaught of harassment and threats in the wake of the January 6 Capitol riot, when former President Donald Trump’s supporters, fueled by false claims the 2020 election was rigged, breached the Capitol building. Some of the rioters breached Pelosi’s office and claimed they were searching for her.
Tangent
The reported presence of zip ties is the latest link between Friday’s attack and the January 6 riot. Multiple alleged Capitol rioters carried zip ties during last year’s riot, including Guy Reffitt, who brought zip ties and a handgun with him to the Capitol and had joked about dragging Nancy Pelosi down the stairs of the building, one friend testified at trial (authorities say Reffitt didn’t enter the Capitol). He was sentenced to more than seven years in prison, one of the longest sentences to date. Photographs also appear to show Eric Munchel, another riot defendant, inside the Capitol with a handful of plastic zip ties. Both Munchel and his mother, Lisa Eisenhart, were arrested for involvement in the riots and pleaded not guilty.
Further Reading
CNN Exclusive: Suspect in Paul Pelosi attack had bag with zip ties, source says (CNN)
AP source: Pelosi attacker carried zip ties, in Jan. 6 echo (Associated Press)
Pelosi Attacker: QAnon And White Supremacist Ideas Linked To Alleged Assailant (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/madelinehalpert/2022/10/30/alleged-pelosi-attacker-reportedly-carried-bag-of-zip-ties/