The suspect in the attack on Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.) was arrested on Saturday. According to multiple reports, David Jakubonis was arrested on a federal assault charge.
Jakubonis – the 43-year-old man accused of attacking Zeldin on stage during a campaign event on Thursday night at a VFW outside of Rochester, New York – was reportedly arrested on Saturday, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of New York.
The Daily Mail and Fox News are reporting that Jakubonis was arrested and will make his first court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Marion W. Payson on Saturday at the Keating Federal Building in Rochester.
Jakubonis is accused of attempting to use $10 cat “self-defense knuckles” with two sharp pointed ends while allegedly threatening Zeldin – a Republican gubernatorial candidate for New York. The incident was captured on video and showed the suspect being taken down before real damage could have been done.
Jakubonis , an Army veteran of Fairmont, New York, was previously charged with attempted assault in the second degree. However, he was arraigned and then released on his own recognizance hours later.
Before Jakubonis was released, Zeldin predicted that the suspect would be set free.
Zeldin issued a statement after the incident:
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 Alison Esposito, 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 New York safe again. This suspect will likely be right back out on the street immediately.
Watch: Rep. Lee Zeldin Attacked By Man At New York Campaign Event
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