Joe.My.God. LGBT News
Rochester First reports:
A Fairport man has been charged with attempted assault for his involvement in an attack on Congressman Lee Zeldin during a campaign event in Perinton Thursday night. Zeldin is the Republican candidate for governor in New York State.
Witnesses say Zeldin was giving a speech about bail reform at the VFW on Macedon Center Road when a man — reportedly an Iraq War veteran under the influence of alcohol — stumbled through the crowd. He then proceeded to climb on the stage and pull out a knife.
Witnesses say when the man lunged at Zeldin, AMVETS National Director Joe Chenelly tackled and restrained him, along with other bystanders at the scene. Those on the scene were able to zip-tie the suspect and get the weapon away before he was taken into custody by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
The New York Times reports:
The videos show Mr. Zeldin, standing on the bed of a truck, addressing supporters gathered outside a V.F.W. hall in Fairport, N.Y., when a man approaches him slowly from the right, grabs him by the arm and brandishes a weapon. Mr. Zeldin responds by grabbing the man’s wrist and is then joined by several men in containing the attacker.
An onlooker in one video can be heard saying “he’s got a knife,” but another close-up video of the incident published by WHEC-TV in Rochester shows that the man is holding what appears to be a pointed self-defense tool shaped like the face of a cartoon cat.
Wearing sunglasses and an Iraq war veteran hat, the man can be heard saying “you’re done, you’re done, you’re done,” as he struggles with Mr. Zeldin.
Republican Nominee for Governor of New York Congressman Lee Zeldin was attacked during a campaign event Thursday when a man climbed on stage and attempted to stab him.@brynnCNN has the story. pic.twitter.com/Ryo4OXfLrK
— New Day (@NewDay) July 22, 2022