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The aggressor who “launched himself” against Rep. Lee Zeldin, RN.Y., on Thursday he told investigators he “didn’t know” who the speaker on stage was and said he had been drinking whiskey earlier in the day.
David Jakubonis, 43, of Fairport, New York, was charged with a state charge of attempted second-degree assault as well as a federal assault charge announced Saturday.
Jakubonis was initially released on his own recognizance after allegedly trying to attack the congressman at a gubernatorial campaign event in Fairport on Thursday, but was arrested on Saturday and charged with assaulting a member of Congress with a dangerous weapon, which carries a maximum of 10 years in prison.
Zeldin was at the Veterans of Foreign Wars after-event giving a speech on bail reform Thursday evening when Jakubonis, 43, allegedly took the stage and “lashed out” at the gubernatorial candidate with a blade in his hand, according to witnesses.
LEE ZELDIN ASSAULT SUSPECT ARRESTED ON FEDERAL ASSAULT CHARGE
Congressman Lee Zeldin takes the stage during his stump speech, before an alleged attack against him, in Fairport, New York, U.S., July 21, 2022. (Ian Winner/Handout via Reuters)
As Jakubonis “lashed out” at Lee, he can be heard saying “you’re done” several times, according to the video. After several people helped take down Jakubonis, Zeldin returned to the stage and continued his speech.
Prosecutors say in a criminal complaint that Jakubonis told investigators he was drinking whiskey the day of the incident and went on stage at the event to ask the speaker if he was “disrespecting veterans.”
Rep. Lee Zeldin, RNY, was attacked during a gubernatorial campaign stop in Perinton, New York, Thursday night, where an individual allegedly pulled out a sharp object. (Ian winner)
Jakubonis also said he had “a self-defense key ring” when he went on stage, but that he “didn’t know who the announcer was or that the speaker was a political person,” according to the complaint.
When investigators showed the video of the incident, Jakubonis said he “should have checked,” and also said the content of the video was disgusting.
Jakubonis will appear at a detention hearing on July 27.
In a statement Saturday, Zeldin’s campaign said it is “grateful” that federal authorities got involved.
“I’m grateful that federal authorities have stepped in to do what New York State’s broken criminal justice system could not: uphold the rule of law. The state must start prioritizing the safety of law-abiding New Yorkers of the law above criminals. be repealed and judges should have discretion to set cash bail for many more crimes,” Zeldin said.
Zeldin’s campaign shared an image with Fox News Digital that appears to show the blade used by the alleged attacker, who is being restricted from the image.
LEE ZELDIN, NEW YORK GOP GOVERNOR CANDIDATE, ATTACKED AT CAMPAIGN STOP
The Republican representative to governor of New York, Lee Zeldin, was attacked by a man with a gun during an election campaign on Thursday night. (Zeldin Campaign)
Zeldin, Esposito and campaign staff were uninjured in the incident, according to a statement.
The congressman tweeted that cashless bail “must” be repealed in New York after the incident.
“After being charged with a felony for last night’s attack, the man who tried to stab me was released back onto the street due to New York’s insane cashless bail law. We need to repeal cashless bail in New York!” Zeldin said.
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The assailant who launched himself at Rep. Lee Zeldin, RNY, told investigators Thursday he “didn’t know” who the speaker was on stage and said he had been drinking whiskey earlier in the day. (Department of Justice)
A 2019 bail reform law in New York eliminated cash bail for most nonviolent felonies and misdemeanors.
Maria Paroch of Fox News contributed to this report.
Adam Sabes is a writer for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to Adam.Sabes@fox.com and on Twitter @asabes10.