Report: Attacker 'did not know who' Zeldin was

In this image taken from video provided by WHEC-TV, David Jakubonis, left, is subdued as he brandishes a sharp object during an attack U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin, …

In this image taken from video provided by WHEC-TV, David Jakubonis, left, is subdued as he brandishes a sharp object during an attack U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin, right, as the Republican candidate for New York governor delivered a speech in Perinton, N.Y., Thursday, July 21, 2022. Jakubonis, 43, has been charged with attempted assault, arraigned and released, a Monroe County sheriff’s spokesperson said. (WHEC-TV via AP)

by: Richard Roman

Posted: Jul 24, 2022 / 11:27 AM EDT

Updated: Jul 24, 2022 / 01:55 PM EDT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – After recently being attacked while campaigning in western New York, Congressman Lee Zeldin, continued his “Fire Hochul Tour” campaign to the Capital Region this weekend. The man accused of attacking the Republican candidate during a recent rally told investigators he’d been drinking that day and didn’t know who the congressman was according to the Associated Press.

On Saturday, David Jakubonis, 43, of Fairport was arrested and then appeared before Judge Marion W. Payson. Jakubonis is accused of a single count of assaulting a member of Congress with a dangerous weapon.

According to witnesses, Jakubonis walked onto a trailer towards Zeldin and lunged a keychain at him during a campaign event on Friday in Perinton. Jakubonis is currently being held pending a detention hearing scheduled for July 27.