A veteran who attempted to stab New York gubernatorial candidate Rep. Lee Zeldin during a campaign rally has been charged with attempted assault.
David Jakubonis, 43, of Fairport, accosted the Republican during a bail reform lecture in Perinton, New York, a small town outside of Rochester, as part of his ‘United to Fire Hochul’ campaign.
Jakubonis, reportedly an Iraq war veteran who was drunk at the time, screamed words to the effect of: ‘Okay, you’re done’ just before launching his attack, according to WHEC.
Video from the scene shows Jakubonis enter the stage from slightly behind Zeldin, walk calmly up to him and eventually raise up his arm towards the candidate’s neck.
A group of Zeldin supporters quickly subdued the attacker before he inflicted any damage, and held him in place until authorities arrived to arrest the man.
A weapon, which appeared to be a pair of brass knuckles with two blades affixed, was recovered from the scene. The weapon featured a cat’s face with the words: ‘Made in the USA’ written across it.
That blade was made from hard plastic, it has since emerged, although authorities said it is just as strong and sharp as a metal equivalent.
Jakubonis was arraigned at Perinton Town Court and charged with attempted assault in the second degree. He was released on his own recognizance.
