Sandy MaloneWashington, DC – U.S. Representative Angie Craig (D-Minnesota) was attacked inside the elevator of her apartment building on Thursday morning.
Nick Coe, Craig’s chief of staff, put out a statement about the incident on Feb. 9 that said the 50-year-old lawmaker was “physically okay,” FOX News reported.
“This morning around 7:15 a.m., Rep. Craig was assaulted in the elevator of her apartment building in Washington DC.,” the statement read. “Rep. Craig defended herself from the attacker and suffered bruising, but is otherwise physically okay.”
Craig told police that she saw the suspect in the lobby of her building in Northeast “acting erratic as if he was under the influence” of some substance, The Washington Post reported.
The police report said the congresswoman greeted the suspect with a “Good Morning,” and got into an arriving elevator.
Craig told police the man followed her onto the elevator “and began to randomly do pushups,” The Washington Post reported.
Then he punched Craig in the chin with a closed fist and grabbed her by the neck, according to the police report.
NEW: Rep. Angie Craig was attacked in the elevator of her Washington, D.C., apartment building, her office said in a statement. pic.twitter.com/XzEQ3zX9Os
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) February 9, 2023
BREAKING: House Democrat Assaulted In Elevator Of DC Apartment Building
Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN) “defended herself from the attacker and suffered bruising, but is otherwise physically okay,” a statement from her team said.
— Matt Couch (@RealMattCouch) February 9, 2023
The congresswoman told police she threw her hot coffee on the suspect and he fled on foot, The Washington Post reported.
Coe said the lawmaker called 911 and fled the scene after she was attacked, FOX News reported.
Officers searched the basement-level parking garage of the apartment building located near Union Station but did not locate the suspect.
The chief of staff noted in the statement about the incident that there was no reason to believe the assault on the congresswoman from Minnesota was politically motivated FOX News reported.
I'm deeply concerned by the news of the attack on Congresswoman Angie Craig. I'm relieved she's safe. https://t.co/WUMpiR2AxZ
— Congressman Shri Thanedar (@RepShriThanedar) February 9, 2023
Craig’s office didn’t release any additional details about the incident, FOX News reported.
“Rep. Craig is grateful to the DC Metropolitan Police Department for their quick response and asks for privacy at this time,” the statement from her office read.
The congresswoman went to the U.S. Capitol later in the day and voted on three pieces of pending legislation on the House floor, The Washington Post reported.
Police said the investigation into the assault on Craig was ongoing, FOX News reported.
Holly Matkin
