NBC News has sparked backlash by pulling a segment describing the attack on Paul Pelosi, claiming the segment did not meet NBC News reporting standards.
The report said NBC had learned from sources that “when officers responded to the high priority call, they were seemingly unaware they had been called to the home of the speaker of the House.”
“After a knock and announce, the front door was opened by Mr. Pelosi,” the NBC video report said. “The 82-year-old did not immediately declare an emergency or try to leave his home, but instead, began walking several feet back into the foyer, towards the assailant, and away from police.”
“It’s unclear if the 82-year-old was already injured or what his mental state was, say sources,” the report continued. “According to court documents, when the officer asked what was going on, defendant smiled and said ‘Everything is good.’ But instantaneously a struggle ensued as police clearly saw David DePape strike Paul Pelosi in the head with a hammer.”
NBC has since pulled this report.
“The piece should not have aired because it did not meet NBC News reporting standards,” NBC said in an editor’s note.
“We apologize, this video has expired,” the video says.
NBC News did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Daily Signal.
According to an FBI affidavit, DePape told officials that he broke into the Pelosi home using a hammer and surprised Paul Pelosi, who had been sleeping.
“DEPAPE told Pelosi that he was looking for [House Speaker] Nancy [Pelosi],” the affidavit said. “[Paul] Pelosi responded that she was not present.”
When Pelosi called 911 using a bathroom phone, DePape did not leave, the filing said, and together they went downstairs to the front door.
“The police arrived and knocked on the door, and Pelosi ran over and opened it,” the affidavit said. “Pelosi grabbed onto DEPAPE’s hammer, which was in DEPAPE’s hand. At this point in the interview, DEPAPE repeated that DEPAPE did not plan to surrender and that he would go ‘through’ Pelosi.”
“DEPAPE stated that he pulled the hammer away from Pelosi and swung the hammer towards Pelosi,” the affidavit continued. “DEPAPE explained that Pelosi’s actions resulted in Pelosi ‘taking the punishment instead.’”
The FBI affidavit also said San Francisco Police Department Officer Colby Wilmes “responded to the Pelosi residence” and “when the door was opened, Pelosi and DEPAPE were both holding a hammer with one hand and DEPAPE had his other hand holding onto Pelosi’s forearm.”
“Pelosi greeted the officers,” Wilmes reportedly told the FBI. “The officers asked them what was going on. DEPAPE responded that everything was good. Officers then asked Pelosi and DEPAPE to drop the hammer.”
Court documents filed in the case reportedly said that Pelosi “nervously but calmly greeted” police officers as they stood in his dimly lit foyer, according to the New York Post. When an officer asked what was going on, DePape said “everything’s good,” but a flashlight showed he was holding Pelosi’s arm in one hand and a hammer in the other.
“Mr. Pelosi had his hand on the top of the handle near the hammer itself,” court documents said, according to the New York Post. When an officer yelled for DePape to drop the hammer he reportedly replied, “Um nope,” pulled the hammer from Pelosi, and hit him in the head. The blow knocked Pelosi unconscious until he woke up lying in a pool of his own blood, the publication reported that court document said.
Pelosi’s skull was fractured in the attack, but he was released from the hospital on Thursday. DePape is pleading not guilty to attempted murder, residential burglary, assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment of an elder, threats to a public official and her family, and elder abuse, Fox News reported.
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