Lee Zeldin, a Republican running for governor of New York, also serving as US congressman from Long Island, was attacked Thursday night in upstate Monroe County near Rochester.
Zeldin was campaigning at the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Perinton when a guy went on stage and lunged toward the politician with an unidentified weapon.
The suspect is David Jakubonis, 43, of Fairport, New York. Jakubonis was given a second-degree attempted assault charge before being freed on his recognizance.
Jakubonis, wrestling Zeldin, was tackled to the ground after he flashed the weapon by Chenelly. The suspect lunged at Zeldin again as he tried to block him; witnesses described him as untidy and probably not sober.
Esposito, a 20-year veteran of the NYPD, was credited by Chenelly for taking the suspect’s firearm from his grasp.
Zeldin returned to the stage shortly after the incident and continued his speech that night.
