A disgruntled upstate New York man repeatedly advised Congressman Lee Zeldin “you’re finished” earlier than he attacked the Republican vying to grow to be the state’s subsequent governor, dramatic video exhibits.
A 35-second clip obtained by WHEC exhibits the second the crazed man — recognized as David Jakubonis, 43 — lunged at Zeldin, 42, with a curved weapon in his proper hand because the Lengthy Island politician was campaigning in Monroe County late Thursday.
“No, you’re finished, you’re finished, you’re finished,” Jakubonis advised Zeldin, prompting shocked onlookers within the crowd to surprise what they have been witnessing.
“What's he doing?” one girl requested.
Jakubonis additionally grabbed the gubernatorial hopeful by the arm in the course of the terrifying incident.
Jakubonis managed to achieve the stage the place Zeldin was chatting with a crowd of a number of dozen in Perinton, the place he made a cease as a part of his “Unite to Fireplace Hochul” tour.
The clip exhibits Jakubonis being shortly subdued, nevertheless, with the assistance of Zeldin’s group, together with his operating mate, former NYPD Deputy Inspector Alison Esposito.
Jakubonis was tackled by a number of individuals on the stage earlier than he was disarmed and detained with zip ties pulled from marketing campaign posters.
The chaotic clip ended as somebody within the crowd claimed Jakubonis had a gun, inflicting some who attended the rally to panic, the footage exhibits.
“Go now!” one man stated.
“You ain’t going nowhere,” one other man advised Jakubonis as his ankles have been wrapped with zip ties, the footage exhibits.
Zeldin managed to flee unhurt. He had “just a bit scrape” following the assault, state GOP chair Nick Langworthy stated.
“He's wonderful,” Langworthy added. “He’s not critically injured. It’s only a chaotic scene there.”
Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul, in the meantime, condemned the assault and stated she was relieved that Zeldin wasn’t injured.
Jakubonis, of Fairport, was charged with second-degree tried assault — a felony — and has been launched on his personal recognizance, Monroe County sheriff’s officers stated. It’s unclear if he’s employed an legal professional who may converse on his behalf.
Katie Vincentz, a spokeswoman for Zeldin, stated the congressman went again onto the stage after Jakubonis was detained to complete his remarks.
“Much more have to be finished to make NY protected once more,” she tweeted late Thursday. “That is out of hand. Rep. Zeldin is simply the most recent NY whose life has been affected by the uncontrolled crime & violence in NY. This should cease! Fortunately, we nonetheless have distinctive officers answering the decision to guard us.”
With Submit wires
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