A House Democrat who was violently assaulted in an elevator in Washington, D.C., released a statement late Friday after a suspect was arrested following the incident.
Rep. Angie Craig of Minnesota was bruised during the alleged attack in an apartment building where she lives “but is otherwise physically okay,” according to a statement posted to Twitter by Nick Coe, her chief of staff.
“There is no evidence that the incident was politically motivated,” the statement continued.
Statement by Rep. Angie Craig's Chief of Staff: pic.twitter.com/YHXKJkuK42
— Angie Craig (@RepAngieCraig) February 9, 2023
The Metropolitan Police Department noted on its website that Kendrick Hamlin, 26, was arrested and charged with the alleged assault on Thursday. He has no fixed address. The MPD did not post the name of the alleged victim but later, in a tweet, noted that the person attacked was “a member of Congress.”
Democrat Congresswoman Angie Craig was assaulted inside her D.C. apartment building. Kendrick Hamlin has been arrested. pic.twitter.com/mtjgXwfxWH
— The Sentinel (@sentinelpatrol) February 10, 2023
A report from WUSA-TV said that Craig, 50, saw Hamlin in the lobby of the building where her apartment is and that his behavior was erratic, “as if he was under the influence of an unknown substance,” according to the outlet, which cited the police report.
MPD seeks the public's assistance in identifying a suspect responsible for a Simple Assault that occurred this morning in the 300 block of H Street, NE, involving a member of Congress.
Have info? Call (202) 727-9099/text 50411 pic.twitter.com/ZDYbodVsw7
— DC Police Department (@DCPoliceDept) February 9, 2023
An account given to police noted that Craig said “good morning” to Hamlin when she got on the elevator. Hamlin then got in the elevator as well and began doing push-ups. At some point thereafter, Craig was punched on her chin and then grabbed by the neck. She then tossed hot coffee on her attacker which gave her the chance to escape from the elevator.
Police responded to Craig’s 911 call to search for the suspect while she went to her office at Congress, per her normal routine.
“Hearing that is pretty disconcerting. That something like this can happen, but I am glad to hear she is all right,” said Tony Kaurilla, Craig’s neighbor.
“Rep. Craig is grateful to the DC Metropolitan Police Department for their quick response and asks for privacy at this time,” Coe’s statement continued.
Craig released a statement Friday afternoon, noting she was back in Minnesota recovering.
“My morning coffee really saved the day yesterday, but not exactly how I expected it to,” Craig said. “On a serious note, I will also say that I was very, very lucky that I was not more injured — and I’ll have more to say about that soon.
“I wanted to let everyone know that the outpouring of support from friends, constituents and colleagues has been overwhelming,” she continued. “I remain deeply grateful to the law enforcement officers for their quick response and subsequent arrest of a suspect last night.”
Craig represents Minnesota’s Second Congressional District. On Thursday, she voted with fellow Democrats and Republicans to condemn China for sending a spy balloon over the country. The balloon was allowed to traverse the nation before President Joe Biden ordered it shot down off the coast of South Carolina. Republicans criticized him for not doing so after it was spotted off the coast of Alaska and instead allow it to fly over several sensitive military installations.
In mid-December, a self-professed lifelong Democratic voter called out local Democratic officials amid spiraling crime rates after she witnessed an armed carjacking in front of her own home. Neighborhood commissioner Denise Rucker Krepp, a lifelong resident of Washington, D.C., said it’s time for the city to get serious about criminal activity.
In an interview with Fox News, Krepp “pushed back against those in her own party who are advocating for a sweeping criminal code overhaul to soften repercussions on crime,” the outlet reported. Krepp believes the measure will have a horrendous impact on the city.
“I think it has to come down to every single person being impacted, and that’s what’s happening in my single member district where I’ve had a rape and murder, armed carjackings, home invasions, robberies, stabbings, shootings,” Krepp told Fox & Friends, arguing the crime wave is affecting people of every political persuasion.
She went on to say letting people go free after being charged with crimes leads to more crime.
“I don’t have enough fingers to count all the crimes that have occurred, and that’s why my constituents are saying enough is enough,” she added. “We need help. We need more police on the streets. We need more prosecutions.”
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