By Dan Merica, CNN
(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.”
Meng suffered a bruise on her chin and she opted to get a CAT scan at George Washington University Hospital after the attack.
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’s office said the attack occurred on 6th 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.
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