Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) was “assaulted” in the elevator of her apartment building, according to her chief of staff.
“This morning around 7:15 a.m., Rep. Craig was assaulted in the elevator of her apartment building in Washington DC.,” Chief of Staff Nick Coe said in a statement.
He added, “Rep. Craig defended herself from the attacker and suffered bruising, but is otherwise physically okay.”
Craig proceeded to call 911 and the “assailant fled the scene of the assault.”
Coe said there was “no evidence that the incident was politically motivated.”
He concluded, “Rep. Craig is grateful to the DC Metropolitan Police Department for their quick response and asks for privacy at this time.”
Read the statement below:
Statement by Rep. Angie Craig's Chief of Staff: pic.twitter.com/YHXKJkuK42
— Angie Craig (@RepAngieCraig) February 9, 2023
Lawmakers responded to the tweet with their reactions.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) wrote, “Angie is tough as nails — she immediately got back to work and voted on the House floor. I’m glad to have met with her this morning and hear she’s doing well.”
Angie is tough as nails — she immediately got back to work and voted on the House floor. I’m glad to have met with her this morning and hear she’s doing well. https://t.co/i0lljgQE4P
— Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) February 9, 2023
Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN.) tweeted, “This is despicable. Angie is tough, and it’s no surprise she defended herself against a violent, unprovoked attack. We must invest in mental health support and upstream crime prevention. We must.”
This is despicable. Angie is tough, and it’s no surprise she defended herself against a violent, unprovoked attack. We must invest in mental health support and upstream crime prevention. We must. https://t.co/sit5BL5sfV
— Rep. Dean Phillips ?? (@RepDeanPhillips) February 9, 2023
Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY.) responded, “Congresswoman Angie Craig and I serve together on the Energy and Commerce Committee. My prayers are with [Rep Angie Craig] as she deals with the aftermath of this assault.”
Congresswoman Angie Craig and I serve together on the Energy and Commerce Committee. My prayers are with @repangiecraig as she deals with the aftermath of this assault. https://t.co/NNUav0irmp
— Rep. Brett Guthrie (@RepGuthrie) February 9, 2023
The New Democrat Coalition shared the group is “horrified by the violent assault on our friend and colleague [Rep Angie Craig]. Our Members will be there to support Rep. Craig during this difficult time and wish her a speedy recovery.”
New Dems are horrified by the violent assault on our friend and colleague @RepAngieCraig.
— New Democrat Coalition (NDC) (@NewDemCoalition) February 9, 2023
Our Members will be there to support Rep. Craig during this difficult time and wish her a speedy recovery. https://t.co/cC9SSihU8U
A police report obtained by Fox News shows Craig told police she saw the male suspect “acting erratic” in the lobby of the apartment building, “as if he was under the influence” of “an unknown substance.”
She reportedly said, “Good morning,” to the man before entering the elevator.
The report states the suspect entered the elevator and did pushups before punching Craig “on the chin area of her face” and grabbing her by the neck, per Fox News.
She threw coffee at the suspect and escaped before officers’ arrival.
