A man who allegedly attacked Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., with a sharp object at a campaign stop in Perinton, New York, Thursday evening was charged with a felony and released from custody within hours of his arrest, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department said.
The suspect, identified as David G. Jakubonis, 43 of Fairport, N.Y., was charged with attempted assault in the second degree.
He was arraigned in Perinton Town Court and released on his own recognizance, the sheriff’s department said.
Zeldin, who is the Republican candidate for governor in New York, predicted the alleged attacker would be released.
Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., was attacked during a gubernatorial campaign stop in Perinton, New York on Thursday night where an individual allegedly pulled out a sharp object. (Ian Winner)
"His words as he tried to stab me a few hours ago were ‘you’re done’, but several attendees, including @EspositoforNY, quickly jumped into action & tackled the guy," he tweeted early Friday. "Law enforcement was on the scene within minutes. The attacker will likely be instantly released under NY’s laws."
Zeldin was giving a speech about bail reform at a Veterans of Foreign Wars post when the alleged assault happened.
A man came up on stage as Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., was giving a campaign speech and attempted to attack the congressman with a sharp object in Perinton, New York on Thursday night. (Ian Winner)
Jakubonis was tackled by AMVETS national Director Joe Chenelly, according to witnesses.
"His right hand came up, I assume out of his pocket, and he had a blade on his hand," Chenelly told Fox News Digital. "His fingers were like two finger holes in the blade and lunged at the congressman. And Congressman Zeldin blocked the first lunge. And then as he tried to lunge again, I grabbed him from behind and tackled him down to the ground and held him on the ground."
