Attacker Lee Zeldin Was Quickly Released From Prison

David Jakubonis, 43, of Fairport, New York, was arraigned overnight in Perinton Town Court on a charge of attempted second-degree assault stemming from the attack on Deputy Zeldin, but was quickly released on his own recognizance. In a tweet after the violent incident in Monroe County, Zeldin, who is running on the crime against incumbent Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul, said he expected his alleged assailant to be back on the streets in no time. “His words as he tried to stab me a few hours ago were ‘you’re done,’ but several bystanders, including @EspositoforNY, quickly sprang into action and confronted the guy,” the gubernatorial candidate tweeted early Friday. “Law enforcement was on scene within minutes. The offender will likely be released immediately under New York law.” David Yakubonis, 43, who was caught on video attacking Lee Zeldin with blades during a campaign rally on Thursday, has been released from jail. WHEC.Jakubonis, who is said to be an Iraq war vet, fell to the ground and was held down by several witnesses. The Firing Pin, LLC/Facebook Zeldin, a sitting U.S. congressman, had predicted Jakubonis’ speedy release from prison on his own recognizance, Twitter/ Lee ZeldinDavid Jakubonis, 43, of Fairport, New York, was arraigned during the overnight in Perinton Town Court on a charge of attempted second-degree assault stemming from the attack on Dem. Zeldin. WHEC. Critics on Twitter reacted with a mixture of disbelief and dismay at the news of the suspect’s swift release. “This guy tried to stab a man running for Governor and went back to the streets?!” Desi Cuellar, a GOP congressional candidate from Queens, tweeted. “New York has truly become a sick place run by criminals!” Ben Domenech, editor-in-chief at The Spectator magazine, wrote: “Try stabbing a Republican MP on stage, go free on your own recognizance. New York, everyone.” Jakubonis was tackled by the crowd after attacking Zeldin on stage.WHEC. Erin Perrin, a spokeswoman for former President Donald Trump, also said: “It’s really sad to see how much my country supports the criminals more than the victims.” Zeldin, a sitting U.S. congressman from Long Island, was giving a speech on bail reform in Perrinton, New York, when he was confronted by Giacubonis. Jakubonis is seen from above being led away in handcuffs. The gun in the shape of a cat’s face is seen in the foreground. The Pin, LLC/FacebookDesi Cuellar, a GOP congressional candidate from Queens criticized the suspect’s release under New York’s bail reform laws Twitter/ Desi Cuellar The 43-year-old man, who is said to be an Iraq War veteran and was said to be drunk at the time, was seen on video jumping on stage and chasing the candidate with an unidentified double-bladed cat-faced weapon. “I saw that he [was] approaching the deputy, so I got on the stage,” witness Joe Chenelly told The Post. After a brief struggle between the suspect and Zeldin, Chenelly, a combat veteran, located the assailant on the ground. Zeldin, a Republican, is looking to unseat incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochsul in November. William Farrington Chenelly told Rochester First that when he later spoke with Jakubonis and found out the suspect had served in Iraq, he promised to help him.
“When he said he served in Iraq, I fell to my knees and said, ‘You know, we’re going to overcome what you’ve done here tonight. You will get better and focus on it. You can contact me after this thing is done,” said Chenelly, who is running for the state House. Jakubonis was then arrested by several witnesses, including GOP lieutenant governor candidate Alison Esposito. Zeldin was uninjured and continued speaking after Giacubonis was removed by responding officers. Later Thursday, Zeldin told The Post via text that he was “OK” and described the incident as “crazy.” Hochul, who will face Zeldin next November, condemned the attack on her opponent. “My team briefed me on the incident at Lee Zeldin’s campaign event tonight. I am relieved to hear that MP Zeldin was not injured and that the suspect is in custody,” he tweeted. “I condemn this violent behavior in the strongest possible terms – it has no place in New York.”