WASHINGTON — The Canadian man accused of attacking Paul Pelosi with a hammer and trying to kidnap Speaker Nancy Pelosi had been living in the United States with an expired immigration status for years, officials at the Department of Homeland Security said on Thursday.
David DePape, 42, who the authorities say broke into the Pelosis’ home in San Francisco on Friday, entered the United States legally on March 8, 2008, from Mexico through a port of entry in California, the department said. Typically, Canadian visitors who travel to the United States for work or pleasure are admitted for six months.
Prosecutors say Mr. DePape’s intent last week was to take the House speaker hostage, “to seriously harm her” and to make her an example to other members of Congress. He faces several state and federal charges, including attempted kidnapping, assaulting a relative of a federal official, attempted murder, elder abuse and assault with a deadly weapon.
Ms. Pelosi was in Washington at the time of the assault.
The attack on Paul Pelosi, 82, who is recovering in an intensive care unit in a San Francisco-area hospital, comes during a time of heightened politically motivated violence before the midterm elections next week. In recent years, there has been a surge in threats against political figures from both parties. Ms. Pelosi, the second in line to the presidency, has been one of the most targeted figures.
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