Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) is "physically okay" after she was assaulted in the elevator of her apartment building in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, her staff said in a statement.
The latest: The Metropolitan Police Department said Thursday evening "an arrest has been made" in relation to the assault.
- Kendrick Hamlin, 26, "of no fixed address was arrested and charged with Simple Assault," per the MPD statement.
For the record: "There is no evidence that the incidence was politically motivated," Craig's chief of staff Nick Coe said in a statement.
Details: The attack occurred about 7.15 am, per the statement.
"Rep. Craig defended herself from the attacker and suffered bruising, but is otherwise physically okay," Coe said."Rep. Craig called 9-1-1 and the assailant fled the scene of the assault."
- The alleged assailant was in the lobby area of Craig's apartment building, "acting erratic as if he was under the influence of an unknown substance," according to the Metropolitan Police Department report of the incident.
- The alleged assailant then entered the same elevator as Craig and "began to randomly do push ups" before punching Craig in the face and grabbing her neck, per the report.
- Craig defended herself by tossing her hot coffee at the alleged attacker. The alleged assailant fled before officers arrived at the scene.
What they're saying: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said in a statement Thursday that his caucus was horrified by the attack on Craig.
- "We are all very grateful that she is safe and recovering, but appalled that this terrifying assault took place," Jeffries said.
- He added that he asked the House Sergeant at Arms and the U.S. Capitol Police to "work with Angie, [her wife] Cheryl [Greene] and their sons to ensure that Angie and her family are safe while in our nation's capital and at home in Minnesota."
The big picture: Craig was elected to a third term during the 2022 midterm elections.
Zoom out: While the attack does not appear to be politically motivated, it comes as threats against federal lawmakers have surged about 400% in the past six years, U.S. Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger said last December.
Editor's note: This story was updated with additional reporting and context. Axios' Cuneyt Dil contributed reporting.
