We were told the injuries were not serious. That wasn’t true. Some rib injuries can, in fact, be life-threatening. From what this article says about the injuries, it sounds to me like he had to be hit with an object, like a baseball bat. We’ll see. Also note the report that the FBI is trying to determine if a federal law was broken. Is it not easy to assess that a potentially fatal attack on a US senator is a federal crime?
Via AP & Trib Live.
U.S. Sen. Rand Paul was recovering Sunday from five broken ribs after he was assaulted by a neighbor who tackled him from behind at the senator’s Kentucky home, officials said.
Senior Adviser Doug Stafford said it is unclear when the Republican will return to work since he is in considerable pain and has difficulty getting around, including flying. Stafford said this type of injury is marked by severe pain that can last for weeks to months.
“This type of injury is caused by high velocity severe force,” Stafford said in an email to The Associated Press. Police arrested 59-year-old Rene Boucher on Saturday and charged him with misdemeanor fourth-degree assault with a minor injury. Boucher lives next door to Paul and his wife, according to Warren County property records.
Boucher was released from jail Saturday on a $7,500 bond. He has a court date scheduled for Thursday…
A spokeswoman for Paul said he was “blindsided” by the attack, but did not provide more details. Police have not said what motivated the attack. Kentucky State Police Master Trooper Jeremy Hodges said the FBI checking to see if the attack was politically motivated.
FBI spokesman David Habich said the agency is aware of the incident and is “working with our state and local partners to determine if there was a violation of federal law.”
Stafford said Paul had three displaced fractures, which can lead to life-threatening injuries, as well as lung contusions. Paul and his wife, Kelley, “appreciate everyone’s thoughts and well wishes and he will be back fighting for liberty in the Senate soon,” Stafford said.
