(CN) - Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., suffered five broken ribs during an assault in his Bowling Green home on Friday afternoon allegedly carried out by a neighbor.
Kelsey Cooper, Rand's spokeswoman, initially said on Saturday that "Senator Paul was blindsided and the victim of an assault."
"The assailant was arrested and it is now a matter for the police. Senator Paul is fine," Cooper added.
But on Sunday, Doug Stafford, a senior advisor to the senator, said Paul had actually been severely injured after he was tacked from behind, suffering the broken ribs and bruises to his lungs.
"This type of injury is caused by high velocity severe force," Stafford told the Associated Press in an email.
It is unclear when the Republican will return to work since he is in considerable pain and has difficulty getting around, including flying he said, noting that the type of injury he suffered is marked by severe pain that can last for weeks to months.
Kentucky State Police responded to the senator's home shortly before 3:30 p.m. on Friday and arrested 59-year-old Rene Bousher, of Bowling Green.
Bousher has been charged with one count of 4th degree assault. He was released from jail Saturday on a $7,500 bond, and will make an initial court appearance Thursday.
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