NBC News walked back a report that a third person was inside Paul Pelosi’s San Francisco home during the attack.
“The SFPD also says that there were only TWO people inside the Pelosi home (Paul Pelosi and DePape) when they responded, clarifying statements made at Friday’s press conference which seemed to indicate there was a third person inside the home who opened the door,” wrote NBC investigative correspondent Tom Winter on Twitter.
NEW: The San Fransisco PD tells NBC News that Paul Pelosi and the accused attacker David DePape did not know each other prior to the assault at the Pelosi home on Friday, @anblanx reports.
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— Tom Winter (@Tom_Winter) October 30, 2022
On a Sunday morning Meet the Press broadcast, Winter claimed there was a third person that opened Pelosi’s front door for police upon their arrival at the scene.
Winter’s report stemmed from San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott, who indicated there was a third person during a press conference Friday evening.
“When the officers arrived and knocked on the front door of the residence this morning, the door was opened by someone inside and the officers observed through the open door, Mr. Pelosi and the suspect Mr. DePape inside the entryway of the home,” said Scott.
Scott said the police officers stayed outside the residence and witnessed Pelosi and DePape inside the entryway fighting over possession of a hammer.
Scott added that when officers ordered the two men to drop the hammer, DePape pulled the tool away from Pelosi and hit him on the head.
Pelosi was “struck at least once” before officers wrangled DePape to the ground.
Following the attack, Paul Pelosi was admitted to Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital where he was treated for facial wounds and injuries to his right arm. He also underwent successful surgery to repair a skull fracture.
A spokesman for Pelosi said he’s expected to make a full recovery.
Despite the fact authorities have yet to reveal an official motive for the assault, Chief Scott still holds firm in his stance that DePape’s actions were deliberate.
“This was not a random act. This was intentional. And it’s wrong,” said Scott.
