Congresswoman hit, robbed near Capitol on Tuesday
Washington (CNN) – U.S. Rep. Grace Meng, a Democrat from New York, was hit in the back of the head and robbed near the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday night, her office said Wednesday.
Meng was walking to her apartment after having dinner when, according to her office, she was hit from behind and fell to the ground. The perpetrator, her office said, then took her handbag and fled the scene on foot.
"While this was a frightening ordeal, I fortunately was not seriously injured," said Meng. "Obviously, things could have been much worse. I thank the U.S. Capitol Police and the District of Columbia Police for responding quickly and professionally."
"I didn’t see anyone. They came from behind," Meng later told reporters. She also said she's feeling fine but "taking it a little slower."
Meng suffered a bruise on her chin and opted to get a CAT scan at George Washington University Hospital after the attack.
"It could have been a lot worse," she said. "The Capitol Police were great and the hospital at GW they took good care of me. I've very thankful."
The United States Capitol Police told CNN that they are "leading an active, open investigation regarding this incident" but that as of Wednesday night "no arrests have been made."
Meng said police have a lead. They recovered an old phone she had in her purse and found fingerprints on it.
Meng's office said the attack occurred on 6th Street and Pennsylvania SE, a popular area with a number of restaurants that is just blocks from the Capitol complex.
The congresswoman is relatively new to the nation's capital: She was elected in 2012 and is currently serving her first term in Congress. Meng was a member of the New York Assembly from 2009 to 2013.
Meng represents New York's sixth congressional district, which covers parts of the New York City borough of Queens.
CNN Senior Congressional Producer Deirdre Walsh contributed to this report.
Based in conservative bloggers I read, this will somehow be Di Blasio's fault.
Even though he's mayor of New York.
Someone quick, search Radel's office....
Thank goodness she was not hurt.
That's a shame the Congresswoman's aides forgot to tell her not to walk around the neighborhood surrounding the Capitol. It has long been known to be an area that is not safe at night.
Data Driven
Based in conservative bloggers I read, this will somehow be Di Blasio's fault.
Even though he's mayor of New York.
November 20, 2013 05:32 pm at 5:32 pm |
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LOL I can definitely see this happening. I wonder if they know he hasnt been inaugurated yet
Sounds like the knockout game.
Welcome to the high crime city of Washington. Guess why that is??????
(D) or (R) I'm glad she's okay. Being from NY, you think she'd know better than to walk around in a city.
Thank goodness Rep. Meng was not seriously hurt. I hope they find the thugs who did this to her and put them into jail where they belong!
Cities that are predominantly full of democrats and democrat supporters are generally more dangerous than other places in America.
Mugger probably voted Democrat.
She is just a victim of her own political affiliation
they need to check the hundreds of surveillance cameras around the Cap in DC for the crook. Why was she alone?
Sad , I hope they find the person .
An act of violence for a hand bag and some cash.
democrat victim – isn't that redundant?
It was just a Liberal, no foul here. Was hoping it was Pelosi.
what are he odds that the thug was a dem?