David DePape, age 42, was identified as the hammer-wielding man who allegedly broke into the house of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and beat her husband Paul Pelosi.
DePape was jailed on multiple offenses, including attempted homicide, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, and burglary, among others, according to San Francisco Police Chief William Scott.
Who Is David DePape?
42-year-old David DePape hails from Berkeley, California. He grew up in Powell River, British Columbia, in Canada.
DePape’s “strong opinions” diverged from those of his relatives.
Teresa DePape, who is married to the suspect’s stepfather in Powell River, British Columbia, told USA TODAY that DePape moved to California almost twenty years ago.
She said, “I had no idea David was a violent guy.” However, he was a forceful orator.
The family had not maintained frequent communication with the suspect, but Teresa DePape reported that David emailed his stepfather a few years ago, saying he would come, but never did.
Mark DePape, a relative, stated that he had lost contact with DePape many years ago, but has no communication with the family and is saddened to learn about the incident.
Teresa DePape added that David’s “strong opinions” diverged from those of his stepfather and other family members.
Teresa DePape stated, “David was a good child; he simply had opinions.” She assumed that DePape was a fan of Burning Man, an annual counterculture arts event held in the Nevada desert.
She declined to expound on her position.
After receiving calls from the media, she phoned San Francisco law enforcement officials. She stated that they confirmed DePape’s detention. Teresa DePape stated that the family will wait for him to contact them.
She said, “I hope you find the truth.”
According to reports, DePape’s social media was packed with right-wing conspiracy theories.
CNN reports that DePape commented on Facebook that the trial of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who was found guilty of killing George Floyd, was a “modern-day lynching.”
He also posted transphobic images, websites claiming COVID-19 vaccines were lethal, and YouTube links with titles such as “Global Elites Plan To Take Control Of YOUR Money! (Revealed)” and “Democrat FARCE Commission to Investigate January 6th Capitol Riot COLLAPSES in Congress!!!”. DePape’s Facebook page is no longer active.
A WordPress writer identified as “daviddepape” bemoaned alleged censorship by “Tech giants and private enterprise,” arguing that the Founding Fathers “never envisioned” a time when they could “suppress the people on their own.” The blog has been removed from WordPress since then.
A number of postings on a different blog under the name “daviddepape” that has also since been deleted belonged to categories that alluded to antisemitism, transphobia, and right-wing conspiracy theories.
DePape Was A California Nudity Campaigner
According to the Associated Press, DePape was known locally in Berkeley, California, as a pro-nudity campaigner who picketed naked against regulations that required individuals to be covered in public.
DePape resided with Gypsy Taub and her family, another nudist campaigner. In 2013, the San Francisco Chronicle described DePape as a “hemp jewelry artisan” and “father figure” to three of Taub’s children.
The group that DePape lived with at the time also propagated conspiracy theories, including the belief that 9/11 was an “inside job,”.
What Was DePape Accused Of?
DePape was booked into a local jail at 1:27 p.m. Pacific Time (PT). He has been charged with burglary, assault with a deadly weapon, threatening the family of a public figure, discouraging a witness from testifying, elder abuse, battery with serious bodily injury, destroying a wireless device, and attempted murder.
There is no bond set for any of the charges. The motive is still being investigated.
According to a joint statement by the U.S. Capitol Police, FBI, and San Francisco Police, the motivation for the attack is still under investigation.
Sources say that DePape was shouting “Where is Nancy?” evidently in search of the Speaker, a query that also filled the halls of the Capitol building on Jan. 6 as rioters broke into the building.
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