Lee Zeldin a sitting United States Congressman and Republican candidate for governor in New York was attacked on stage during a campaign stop on Thursday night.
The perpetrator has a knife, but Zeldin was able to escape injury, The New York Post reports.
Zeldin was campaigning near Rochester in Monroe County at a Veterans of Foreign Wars post when he was attacked by a man wearing an Iraq War veteran hat.
The suspect is identified as 43 year old David Jakubonis of Fairport, NY.
He was released on his own recognizance after being charged with attempted assault in the second degree.
Joe Chenelly, who tackled Jakubonis to the ground after Zeldin began to fight with him said, “I saw that he [was] approaching the congressman, so I jumped up on the stage.”
Chenelly then said that, “He reached into his right pocket and pulled out what appeared to be a knife or a razor blade, maybe a boxcutter and lunged at the congressman.”
GOP candidate for lieutenant governor Alison Esposito, a 20-year member of the NYPD was credited with disarming the intoxicated man.
Zeldin stated in a tweet, “Someone tried to stab me on stage during this evening’s rally, but fortunately, I was able to grab his wrist and stop him for a few moments until others tackled him.”
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.
Law enforcement was on the scene within minutes.
The attacker will likely be instantly released under NY’s laws. pic.twitter.com/wZEyIyrjFe— Lee Zeldin (@leezeldin) July 22, 2022
In a separate incident Zeldin also tweeted that a Rochester police officer had been shot and killed.
Zeldin is going to continue campaigning and finished his speech after the attack.
[READ NEXT: Billionaire Joins Fight Against DeSantis]
