Sen. Rand Paul’s (R-KY) staffer who was attacked by a knife-wielding man in Washington, D.C., last weekend is expected to make a full recovery, according to his parents.
Chuck and Helen Todd released a statement on Wednesday providing an update on the health of their son, Phillip Todd, and asking for privacy so that they can focus on his rehabilitation, as reported by ABC affiliate 7News.
Phillip Todd “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,” the statement said.
“Our son is in a stable condition, having undergone trauma surgery to address the wounds in his body,” the statement added. “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.”
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said Todd sustained injuries to his head, ear, torso, and lungs during the stabbing incident on H Street NE on Saturday afternoon. An affidavit shows the attack came at random after Todd and a friend exited a restaurant. Todd told a detective he did not know the suspect, nor did the suspect demand anything of him before the violence began.
Police said the friend who accompanied Todd tackled the suspect to the ground, allowing Todd and the friend to run away and seek help. Detectives tracked down and arrested 42-year-old Glynn Neal of Southeast D.C. on Sunday using a cell phone recovered from the scene, according to the affidavit. Neal has been charged with assault with intent to kill using a knife, a felony. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 6.
Court records indicate that Neal was released from federal prison roughly 24 hours before the attack.
Chuck and Helen Todd said their “hope is that Washington D.C. continues to be the safe and beautiful city our son loves so much.”
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In addition to thanking police, first responders, and hospital staff for their efforts, Todd’s parents expressed gratitude to Paul and his chief of staff for making a personal visit to their son to offer encouragement, Senate Chaplain Reverend Black for praying over Phillip, the Antioch Church, and everyone else who reached out with prayers and offered to help.
“Our son and our family draw strength from our faith to see us through this challenging time,” they added. “Phillip is conscious and alert and has repeatedly stated, ‘the joy of the Lord is my strength’ (Nehemiah 8:10).”