New Details on Rand Paul Assault: Sneak Attack, Possible Political Dispute
Disagreement between Rand Paul and his neighbor over the senator's politics and his property line were possible motives in the attack that left the Kentucky lawmaker with five broken ribs , a source told NBC News on Monday.
Paul was wearing headphones while mowing his lawn in Bowling Green, Kentucky, when he was attacked from behind by Rene Boucher, 59, on Friday, two sources said. Paul suffered five rib fractures, including three displaced fractures.
Police say Rene Boucher assaulted Sen. Rand Paul at his home. Warren County Regional Jail via AP
Paul managed to throw Boucher off of him and they exchanged words, sources said.
The two men had not spoken in several years and a rift between the pair possibly stemmed from Boucher's distaste for Paul's politics, as well as those of his father, former Texas Rep. Ron Paul, a source said.
Paul and Boucher also had a previous disagreement about a property line involving a creek behind the lawmaker's house where Paul's sons would sometimes play, the source added.
Boucher's lawyer denied that politics had anything to go with the fight.
"Senator Paul and Dr. Boucher have been next-door neighbors for 17 years. They are also prominent members of the local medical community and worked together when they were both practicing physicians ," lawyer Matthew J. Baker said.
"The unfortunate occurrence of November 3rd has absolutely nothing to do with either's politics or political agendas ," he added. "It was a very regrettable dispute between two neighbors over a matter that most people would regard as trivial. We sincerely hope that Senator Paul is doing well and that these two gentlemen can get back to being neighbors as quickly as possible."
After Paul reported the assault, the Warren County attorney's office issued an arrest warrant and a trooper arrested Boucher, police said.
He was charged with one count of fourth-degree assault and released on $7,500 bail.
Paul is in a pain and recovering.
"It is not clear exactly how soon he will return to work, as the pain is considerable, as is the difficulty in getting around, including flying," Doug Stafford, a senior adviser, said on Sunday .
The FBI is investigating the incident; assaulting a member of Congress is a federal crime.
Capitol Police said it does not comment on ongoing investigations.
Kasie Hunt reported from Washington, D.C., and Dartunorro Clark from New York.
CORRECTION: (Nov. 6, 2017, 5:04 p.m.): An earlier version of this article misstated the day Sen. Paul was attacked while mowing his lawn. The attack took place on Friday, not on Sunday
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I sincerely hope that this is not politically motivated - I know 'we' argue with and vehemently disagree ... but I would hate to think that could lead to busted ribs in a sneak attack like this event appears to have been..
I wish Senator Paul a speedy recovery .. I had broken ribs in 2007 - there were times I really thought shoot me .. I could not even roll my eyes without hurting my ribs : )
I hope this wasn’t over politics either. I came across this article apparently he is in pretty bad shape right now.
Sen. Rand Paul has five rib fractures, including three displaced fractures and bruised lungs, after an assault at his home in Bowling Green, Kentucky, a senior adviser told CNN.
"Displaced rib fractures can lead to life-threatening injuries such as: hemopneumothorax, pneumothorax, pneumonia, internal bleeding, laceration of internal organs and lung contusions," said Doug Stafford, the senior adviser, in a statement.
Thanks for the information, that was one hell of a beating Senator Paul took ..
Looked displaced fractures up - this is from The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma:
Seems like the neighbor was out to beat Rand Paul to death. Scary stuff!
Somebody should take that SOB out and beat the crap out of him and it wouldn't surprise me if it didn't happen.
He will get his .. I have a hunch his life style may be changing very soon ............................... wonder if the Senator has to press charges, or if the cops automatically take over and the Senator has NO say (?) he seems like such a passive man (just my observation), have you ever seen him riled up?
This is some crazee stuff!
Umm....Rand Paul is a grown ass man who is around the same age, let him do it himself. I say once he's out of the hospital put both of them in the ring and let them go 3 rounds....this is personal business that needs to be handled personally
Yes, it was a hell of a beating. Attacked from behind while wearing headphones.
A cowardly act indeed. I too hope he heals swiftly. I just can’t wrap my head around the anger one must have to physically assault another person like that.
Neither can I
According to an unsubstantiated source from a Slovenian website, Boucher assaulted Sen. Paul because the senator mowed Boucher's cannabis plants.
You mean like the backstabber.