The would-be attacker who “lunged” at Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., on Thursday informed investigators that he “didn’t know” who the speaker on stage was and mentioned he had been consuming whiskey earlier within the day.
David Jakubonis, 43, of Fairport, New York, was charged with state-level prices of tried assault within the second diploma in addition to a federal assault cost introduced on Saturday.
Jakubonis was initially launched on his personal recognizance after allegedly trying to assault the congressman at a gubernatorial marketing campaign occasion in Fairport on Thursday, however was taken again into custody on Saturday and charged with assaulting a member of Congress utilizing a harmful weapon, which carries a most of 10 years in jail.
Zeldin was on the Veterans of Overseas Wars submit occasion giving a speech about bail reform on Thursday night when Jakubonis, 43, allegedly received on stage and “lunged” on the gubernatorial candidate with a blade in his hand, in line with witnesses.
LEE ZELDIN ATTACK SUSPECT ARRESTED ON FEDERAL ASSAULT CHARGE
As Jakubonis “lunged” towards Lee, he might be heard saying “you are completed,” a number of occasions, in line with video. After a number of folks assisted in taking down Jakubonis, Zeldin received again on stage and continued his speech.
Prosecutors state in a legal criticism that Jakubonis informed investigators that he was consuming whiskey on the day of the incident and walked on-stage on the occasion to ask the speaker if he was “disrespecting veterans.”
Jakubonis additionally mentioned that he had a “self-defense key chain” when he went on the stage, however didn’t “know who the speaker was or that the speaker was a political individual,” in line with the criticism.
When proven video of the incident by investigators, Jakubonis mentioned he “will need to have checked out,” additionally saying that the content material of the video was disgusting.
Jakubonis will seem in a detention listening to on July 27.
In an announcement on Saturday, Zeldin’s marketing campaign mentioned that he is “grateful” that federal authorities got here in.
“I am grateful that federal authorities got here in to do what New York State’s damaged pro-criminal justice system couldn’t – uphold the rule of legislation. The state should begin prioritizing the protection of law-abiding New Yorkers over criminals. Cashless bail have to be repealed and judges ought to have discretion to set money bail on much more offenses,” Zeldin mentioned.
Zeldin’s marketing campaign shared a picture with Fox Information Digital that seems to point out the blade that was utilized by the alleged attacker, who’s being restrained within the image.
LEE ZELDIN, NEW YORK GOP GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE, ATTACKED AT CAMPAIGN STOP
Zeldin, Esposito and marketing campaign workers had been unhurt within the incident, in line with an announcement.
The congressman tweeted that cashless bail “should” be repealed in New York following the incident.
“After being charged with a felony for final night time’s assault, the person who tried to stab me was immediately launched again onto the road on account of New York’s insane cashless bail legislation. We MUST repeal cashless bail in New York!,” Zeldin mentioned.
A 2019 bail reform legislation in New York eradicated money bail for many nonviolent felonies and misdemeanors.
Fox Information’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report.
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