San Francisco authorities released video footage on Friday of former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband, Paul Pelosi, being struck by an intruder’s hammer as police rushed into their home to stop the attack. The police body-worn camera footage of the Oct. 28 violence was released alongside a surveillance video showing the alleged attacker, David DePape, 42, smashing through a glass window to get into the couple’s San Francisco home, as well as a 911 call from a distressed Paul Pelosi, who was talking to the dispatcher with DePape apparently beside him.

In the body-cam footage, two police officers knock on the door of the Pelosis’ home. When it opens, Pelosi and DePape can both be seen clutching a large hammer. DePape tells police officers, “Everything’s good,” at which point the officers instruct him to drop the hammer.

DePape then appears to tear the hammer fully away from Pelosi, who is in sleep wear, before striking him with a powerful overhand blow. The two officers then charge inside – one of them shouting an expletive – tackling DePape, and then calling for back-up and medics.

Pelosi, lying still, can be seen partially under the body of DePape, who is being restrained by the officers. San Francisco Deputy Public Defender Adam Lipson, who represents DePape, called the release of the evidence a “terrible mistake.” In a statement, he said: “The footage is inflammatory and could feed unfounded theories about this case, and we are extremely concerned about Mr. DePape’s ability to get a fair trial.”

DePape has been indicted on federal attempted kidnapping and assault charges. He has pleaded not guilty to state charges of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, burglary, elder abuse, false imprisonment and threatening a public official. The assailant had been seeking Nancy Pelosi and wanted to wait for her to return to the house, Paul Pelosi said.

The attack shocked Washington and renewed concerns about a breakdown in civility and a rise in political violence. It also highlighted the limitations of the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP), which is charged with protecting Congress and the representatives who serve in it. Many USCP officers were injured during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, when rioters burst through security barriers, with some making it clear that they were looking for Nancy Pelosi.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-INP