During a campaign event in Fairport, New York, on Thursday, a man reportedly attempted to stab gubernatorial candidate Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY).
According to local reports, Zeldin was giving a speech about bail reform at the “Unite to Fire Hochul” bus tour stop when a man went on stage, began yelling, “wrestled with him a bit, and pulled a blade out.”
Joe Chenelly, a Marine combat veteran and national executive director of AMVETS, tackled the man, along with others at the event.
Zeldin was uninjured and returned to the stage to finish his speech.
The man told Zeldin “you’re done” as he began his attack.
I’m ok, and @EspositoforNY, and all other attendees are safe. The attacker is in custody. Grateful for the attendees who stepped up quickly to assist and the law enforcement officers who quickly responded. I’m as resolute as ever to do my part to make NY safe again.
— Lee Zeldin (@leezeldin) July 22, 2022
His words as he tried to stab me a few hours ago were “you’re done”, but several attendees, including @EspositoforNY, quickly jumped into action & tackled the guy.
Law enforcement was on the scene within minutes.
The attacker will likely be instantly released under NY’s laws. pic.twitter.com/wZEyIyrjFe
— Lee Zeldin (@leezeldin) July 22, 2022
Posting this after I was on the phone with 911. @monroesheriffny was on scene in under 5 minutes. Looks like no one was hurt.
— Ian Bradley (@bornawinner92) July 22, 2022
Group of men immediately jumped on stage and subdued the man. @News_8 @13WHAM @nypost @news10nbc @FoxNews @cnnbrk pic.twitter.com/d1ryz4F9fU
— Ian Bradley (@bornawinner92) July 22, 2022
Lee Zeldin is the Republican NYS gubernatorial candidate, Joe Chenelly is a Marine combat veteran and the AMVETS national executive director, Mark Assini was a collegiate rugby player. pic.twitter.com/8zj0ESVn7P
— Bob Lonsberry (@BobLonsberry) July 22, 2022
Lee Zeldin almost got assassinated and still finished his speech
What a boss https://t.co/VO55gqNIDH
— Will Chamberlain (@willchamberlain) July 22, 2022
Video of @leezeldin’s attempted attack at a campaign rally in Monroe County earlier tonight.
Courtesy of Cody Crippen pic.twitter.com/1mTgUXIHVJ
— Kate Lisa (@KaitlynnLisa) July 22, 2022
Conservative Party Gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin was attracted at a campaign rally in Monroe County by a man who charged the stage with a dangerous weapon. Zeldin helped restrain the individual who was promptly arrested after a struggle. All are ok. pic.twitter.com/mIJM3GOxse
— Conservative Party Of NYS (@cpnys) July 22, 2022
The weapon appears to be a self-defense keychain, though it is unclear if the suspect also had a knife.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul condemned the attack in a statement on Twitter.
“My team has informed me about the incident at Lee Zeldin’s campaign event tonight. Relieved to hear that Congressman Zeldin was not injured and that the suspect is in custody. I condemn this violent behavior in the strongest terms possible — it has no place in New York,” she said.
My team has informed me about the incident at Lee Zeldin's campaign event tonight. Relieved to hear that Congressman Zeldin was not injured and that the suspect is in custody. I condemn this violent behavior in the strongest terms possible — it has no place in New York.
— Kathy Hochul (@KathyHochul) July 22, 2022
https://twitter.com/MrAndyNgo/status/1550315473778130945
Hours before the attack, Hochul reportedly directed her supporters to his rally schedule, according to NY GOP Chairman Nick Langworthy.
B) Langworthy: Congressman Zeldin and all of the attendees are safe, but this could have ended much worse.
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) July 22, 2022
D) Langworthy: It’s not enough to condemn the attack, she must apologize and tone down her hateful rhetoric immediately.
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) July 22, 2022
More democRATic politics. Pedo Joe Gotta go. It’s civil war.
Civil War! I doubt liberal dems with guns have what it takes to use them against armed citizens comprising their opponents in a civil war.. They seem to be more inclined to display their marksmanship toward defenseless crowds or children in school .
The perpetrator wielding a plan of execution was very likely one of Kathy Hochol’s followers she sent to disrupt a political campaign of her rival in the coming election. Kathy Hochol is a lying slime liberal protecting her governor seat. Her compassion displayed is only a deception meant to gain her reelection.
Politicics has gotten to be a dangerous agenda. I support any law that would send to prison anyone convected of criminal activity against campaineing folks. Repub or Dem.