Suspected Attacker of Rep. Zeldin Arrested on Federal Assault Charge

David Jakubonis (L) is subdued as he brandishes a sharp object during an attack on Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.) as the Republican candidate for New York governor delivers a speech in Perinton, N.Y., on July 21, 2022, in this image taken from video. WHEC-TV via AP

The suspected attacker of Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.) has been arrested on a federal assault charge, the Justice Department announced.

David Jakubonis, 43, was arrested on July 23 and charged with assaulting a member of Congress with a dangerous weapon, following an investigation by federal authorities, U.S. Capitol Police, and state and local law enforcement. He was initially taken into custody on July 21 after he tried to stab the lawmaker, who is the Republican nominee for governor, during a campaign stop at a Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Fairport, New York, near Rochester. Zeldin wasn’t injured.