WASHINGTON — Police in Washington, D.C. say a suspect has been arrested in connection with the assault of Minnesota Democratic U.S. Rep. Angie Craig Thursday morning.
Craig's chief of staff said the assault happened just after 7 a.m. at her Washington, DC apartment building.
"This morning around 7:15 a.m., Rep. Craig was assaulted in the elevator of her apartment building in Washington DC. Rep. Craig defended herself from the attacker and suffered bruising, but is otherwise physically okay," the statement read.
Craig's staff said the congresswoman called 911 but the alleged attacker fled the scene.
Authorities say after their preliminary investigation, a 26-year-old was taken into custody later Thursday. Charges have not yet been filed.
According to a report filed by DC Metropolitan Police, Craig allegedly saw a man acting erratic in the apartment lobby. Craig told police she said "good morning" to the man as she entered the elevator, and the man followed her inside, where he "began to randomly do push-ups." Craig told officers the man then allegedly punched her in the chin with a closed fist and grabbed her neck; she defended herself by throwing her coffee on the man, who then escaped.
According to the police report, officers canvassed the area for the suspect but were unsuccessful in locating him.
"There is no evidence that the incident was politically motivated," Rep. Craig's Chief of Staff said in the prepared statement. "Rep. Craig is grateful to the DC Metropolitan Police Department for their quick response and asks for privacy at this time.”
Craig was present in the House for voting later Thursday morning.
In a statement, DFL party chair Ken Martin said he was "shocked and horrified" to hear of the assault.
"It is a relief to hear that the injuries sustained by Representative Craig are not dire, and I wish her a speedy recovery. I am grateful the D.C. police responded quickly to the situation and I hope the assailant will be swiftly brought to justice,” Martin said. “While we do not know the motivations of the attacker, I believe it is important for leaders on both sides of the aisle to step up and make it clear that political violence of any kind is completely unacceptable.”
Minnesota Republicans also released a statement with well-wishes for Rep. Craig.
"We are saddened to hear that Congresswoman Craig was assaulted this morning. We wish her and her family well as she recovers and hope that her attacker is swiftly brought to justice," said Minnesota GOP chair David Hann.
Craig is serving her third term in Congress representing Minnesota's second congressional district, which includes portions of the southeast metro.
The incident comes at a time of heightened concern over the safety of lawmakers and their families in the wake of the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol as well as more recent events like the high-profile attack on former Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband with a hammer.
This is a developing story. Stay with KARE 11 for more information.
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