Americans have been inching ever closer to abject political peril of late, as the two party system continues to fuel division and angst toward one another.
The anger has boiled over already, in tense moments such as the Capitol riots of January 6th, 2021, or the ongoing Antifa-led violence of the Pacific Northwest.
This week brought us yet another example of this troubling trend as a staffer for Republican Senator Rand Paul was attacked and stabbed in Washington DC.
A staffer for Sen. Rand Paul was stabbed and seriously injured in Washington, D.C., on Saturday and a suspect has since been arrested, according to police and Paul’s office.
“This past weekend a member of my staff was brutally attacked in broad daylight in Washington, D.C.,” Paul, R-Ky,. said in a statement to ABC News on Monday. “I ask you to join [wife] Kelley and me in praying for a speedy and complete recovery, and thanking the first responders, hospital staff, and police for their diligent actions.”
Paul’s office has not publicly identified the staffer.
So, what exactly happened?
According to a police report obtained by ABC News, officers first responded Saturday around 5:15 p.m. to a call about a stabbing on the 1300 block of H Street Northeast in the district.
The victim was treated on the scene for “stab wounds” and was seen by a witness “bleeding from the head,” the report states.
According to one of two witnesses cited in the report, the suspect had “popped out of the corner” and stabbed the Paul staffer multiple times as he and the witness were walking. The victim “was able to grab [the suspect’s] arms” and the witness with him tackled the suspect, “leading to a struggle between the parties,” the report states. Then, the victim and the witness ran as the suspect fled.
Details about the attacker were still somewhat scarce.
On Monday, D.C. police said that 42-year-old Glynn Neal, a D.C. resident, was arrested later on Saturday and had been charged with assault with intent to kill, wielding a knife, in connection with the attack. Court filings state that he has told officers he heard a voice was going to get him before the attack occurred.
Paul’s staffer was hospitalized “for treatment of life-threatening injuries,” police said, but further information about his condition was not available.
The assailant is being held without bond at this time.
