The FBI told local Kentucky media early Sunday that an assault that left Republican Sen. Rand Paul injured and reeling was “politically motivated.”
According to WNKY, a Kentucky NBC affiliate, authorities and Paul’s neighbors believe Rene Boucher attacked Paul over his ideological leanings. The FBI, the local news organization says, has confirmed the motive.
Boucher is a registered Democrat, according to voter rolls, updated in March of 2017.
Boucher, who reportedly lives down the street from Paul, assaulted the senator while Paul was mowing his lawn. Paul, who was wearing earplugs, stepped off his ride-on mower to handle something on the ground when Boucher attacked.
Although Paul was “blindsided,” according to his spokesperson, the senator emerged mostly unscathed — with only minor injuries to his face and rib cage.
Boucher is being held in the Warren County Detention Center on $5,000 bond. He will likely face charges of fourth degree assault, Bowling Green County Sheriffs say.