NY Gubernatorial Candidate Lee Zeldin Attacked by an Iraq War Vet During Campaign Event

U.S. Representative Lee Zeldin (R-NY), who is the GOP nominee for Governor of New York was attacked at a campaign event in a suburb of Rochester, NY.

Zeldin was giving a speech, on bail reform at a VFW, when a man walked up to the stage and hopped on. The man lifts his arm and appears to be holding a knife. Zeldin grabs the man’s wrist and others help assist in restaining the attacker.

Clear view of the attack ag. Rep. Lee Zeldin today. Terrifying and terrible.

Vid found here: https://t.co/sqVgV79sAC pic.twitter.com/Zphgkw8bXk

— Olivia Beavers (@Olivia_Beavers) July 22, 2022

The attacker David Jakubonis (43) appears to be an Iraq war veteran who was drunk at the time of the attack.

Zeldin shared on Twitter about the attack and that he and the rest of the attendees were safe, he also thanked law enforcement for their response.

“Thank you to everyone who reached out following tonight’s attack in Fairport. 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.”

“I’m ok, and @EspositoforNY, and all other attendees are safe. The attacker is in custody. Grateful for the attendees who stepped up quickly to assist and the law enforcement officers who quickly responded. I’m as resolute as ever to do my part to make NY safe again.”

I’m ok, and @EspositoforNY, and all other attendees are safe. The attacker is in custody. Grateful for the attendees who stepped up quickly to assist and the law enforcement officers who quickly responded. I’m as resolute as ever to do my part to make NY safe again.

— Lee Zeldin (@leezeldin) July 22, 2022

Twitter user @siwinski shared a photo of the attacker being restrained by an officer and the weapon he used can also be seen in the hands of another person.

pic.twitter.com/Fr6WBp5jRq

— Mike 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 (@siwinski) July 22, 2022

Joe Chenelly National Director of AMVETS, who helped restrain the man, said the attacker needs help and vowed to get him some.

Chenelly said, “When he said he served in Iraq, I got down hands on my knees and said, ‘You know, we’re going to get through whatever you’ve done here tonight,’ and told him, ‘You’re going to get better and focus on that,’ and said, ‘You can contact me after this thing is done. I was told not the engage with him right now. I think it’s very important we obviously have a mental health crisis nationwide— not just with our veterans but we especially have it with our veterans.

Jakubonis was charged with attempted assault in the second degree and it has been reported he was also released.

This comes fairly close to the fatal attack on the former Prime minister of Japan Shinzo Abe who was shot while giving a campaign speech.

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Assassinated During Campaign Speech