Paul Pelosi's attacker 'violently' hit him with a hammer in front of the cops who had just gotten to the house, police say

• The home intruder who attacked Paul Pelosi early Friday beat him with a hammer in front of police.
• The suspect "violently assaulted" Pelosi with the hammer, said San Francisco Police Chief William Scott.

The intruder who attacked Paul Pelosi, the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, at the couple's San Francisco, California, home early Friday "violently" beat him with a hammer in front of the cops as they arrived at the residence, authorities said.

When officers responded to the couple's Pacific Heights home just before 2:30 a.m. local time for a "well-being check" they saw the attacker and 82-year-old Paul Pelosi holding a hammer, San Francisco Police Chief William Scott told reporters during a press briefing.

"The suspect pulled the hammer away from Mr. Pelosi and violently assaulted him with it," Scott said, adding that cops "immediately tackled the suspect, disarmed him, took him into custody, requested emergency backup, and rendered medical aid."

The police chief identified the suspect as 42-year-old David DePape.

DePape will be booked at the San Francisco County Jail on a slew of charges including attempted homicide, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, and burglary, Scott said.

Paul Pelosi was attacked while Speaker Pelosi was in Washington, DC, with her protective detail, authorities have said.

The assault left Paul Pelosi hospitalized and the House speaker's office said that he is "expected to make a full recovery."

The attacker, who police said was also taken to the hospital, was reportedly searching for the House speaker when he broke into the Pelosi residence.

He reportedly shouted "Where is Nancy? Where is Nancy?" at Paul Pelosi.

CNN reported that the attacker also tried to tie Pelosi up, saying he was waiting for the speaker.

"The motive for this attack is still being determined," Scott said without taking any questions from reporters.

Correction: October 28, 2022 — An earlier version of this story misstated the age of Paul Pelosi. He is 82, not 84.