“Our son is in a stable condition, having undergone trauma surgery to address the wounds in his body. 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,” Chuck and Helen Todd, parents of Phillip Todd, said in a statement to news outlets.
Todd was stabbed multiple times on H Street Northeast in Washington on March 25, according to the Metropolitan Police Department. The suspect was hiding in a corner before popping out and stabbing the man, according to a police report, citing a witness. The victim suffered life-threatening injuries, police said.
Glynn Neal, 42, was arrested the same day of the attack and charged with assault with intent to kill.
Neal was sentenced to 12 years in prison for compelling two North Carolina women to engage in prostitution by threatening to kill them. He was released from federal jail a day before attacking Todd, the Bureau of Prisons told The Epoch Times via email.
Tim Todd, Todd’s uncle, previously said that his nephew suffered a “deep knife wound to the head” and that doctors were concerned about possible seizures for the next month. Todd also said his nephew suffered damage to his spleen, lung, and brain.
“Phillip is having another surgery this morning. We are in hopes that this will be the last one. Continued prayers for Phillip are greatly appreciated!” Tim Todd said on Wednesday.
Todd’s friend helped save the man’s life, his parents said.
Todd “was randomly and brutally attacked by a person armed with a knife, who, according to the police report, attempted to kill him,” they said. “The intervention of our son’s friend helped prevent the wounds from being fatal.”
The parents thanked people for supporting their son, including Paul and Senate Chaplain Rev. Barry Black. They also said they were impressed with first responders and police.
Todd is an economist who currently serves Paul on the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.
Todd’s parents said they were releasing the update to “answer many of the questions we’ve received.”
“In return, we ask to respect our privacy and the privacy of our extended family so that we can focus on our son’s recovery,” they said.
“The attacker was out of jail for 24 hours,” Paul said. “First day out of prison, tries to kill somebody.”
