Sen. Rand Paul on Capitol Hill in February. Photo: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images
A staffer of Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) was "brutally attacked in broad daylight in Washington, D.C.," over the weekend, the senator said Monday evening.
Details: A D.C. Metropolitan Police Department spokesperson confirmed in a statement to Axios that officers had arrested a suspect in connection with a stabbing that occurred less than 1.5 miles from the U.S. Capitol on Saturday evening.
- Glynn Neal, 42, of Southeast D.C., was charged with assault with intent to kill using a knife, according to the MPD.
- A witness told police that the suspect was hiding in a corner on the 1300 block of H St. NE, a busy corridor with restaurants and shops, before he allegedly "popped out" and stabbed the victim "multiple times," says a report filed by MPD.
- The report identified the victim as Phillip Todd — a staffer for Rand on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, per Legistorm — and said he was left bleeding from the head.
The big picture: Neal had been released from federal prison the day before the attack, the Bureau of Prisons confirmed to Axios.
- The bureau declined to discuss Neal’s sentence, but court records show that in 2011, he was sentenced to 12 years in prison for forcing an individual to prostitute against their will, threatening to kidnap or injure, and obstructing justice.
What they're saying: Paul in an emailed statement thanked police, first responders, and hospital staff "for their diligent actions."
- "At this time we would ask for privacy so everyone can focus on healing and recovery," Paul said.
Editor's note: This article has been updated with addition details throughout.