Rand Paul staffer who suffered injuries in knife attack in stable condition, parents say
The parents of a Rand Paul staffer who was brutally attacked in Washington over the weekend by a man with a knife said their son is in stable condition after undergoing surgery.
They also described the broad daylight assault as random, with no evidence of political motivation apparent.
“Our son is in a stable condition, having undergone trauma surgery to address the wounds in his body. He also has a fracture on his skull, which will be treated with non-invasive neurosurgery. He is expected to make a full recovery due to his young age and good health,” said Chuck and Helen Todd, the parents of staffer Phillip Todd, in a statement Wednesday.
Todd, a Senate Homeland Security Committee staffer for Paul, was stabbed multiple times while walking in Southeast Washington, D.C, causing life-threatening injuries, according to Washington police. Police later arrested 42-year-old Glynn Neal and charged him with “intent to kill” Todd.
“He was randomly and brutally attacked by a person armed with a knife, who, according to the police report, attempted to kill him. The intervention of our son’s friend helped prevent the wounds from being fatal,” said Chuck and Helen Todd.
Paul first released a statement about the attack on Monday evening, asking for prayers and thanking first responders, hospital staff and police for acting diligently.
Todd’s parents also complimented the “professionalism of the Washington D.C. police department in capturing the attacker, with the EMS and first responders’ quick response at the scene, and with the staff at the hospital in treating our son’s injuries.”
“Our son and our family draw strength from our faith to see us through this challenging time. Phillip is conscious and alert and has repeatedly stated, “the joy of the Lord is my strength” (Nehemiah 8:10),” Todd’s parents noted.
They said they’ve been touched by the outpouring of support from Todd’s friends, the Antioch Church in Washington, current and former colleagues and even strangers.
“We are thankful for Senator Paul and his chief of staff for making a personal visit to encourage Phillip, and Senate Chaplain Reverend Black for praying over Phillip, and everyone who has reached out with prayers and offers to help,” Todd’s parents said in the statement. “Our hope is that Washington D.C. continues to be the safe and beautiful city our son loves so much.”
Six years ago, Paul was himself the victim of an attack by a neighbor, which broke the senator’s ribs and caused him several bouts with pneumonia.
Paul’s attacker, Rene Boucher, was sentenced to prison, home confinement and forced to pay a half million dollars in damages to the senator.
