After being allegedly attacked at a campaign event on Thursday night, Congressman Lee Zeldin is “ok.”
Witnesses told PIX 11 that a man stormed the podium and “wrestled with him a bit, then pulled a blade out” while Zeldin spoke at the Veteran of Foreign Wars (VFW) event in Fairport, New York.
According to authorities, the suspected attacker was subdued by AMVETS national director Joe Chenelly before being taken into custody by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
After the incident, Zeldin took to Twitter to thank his followers for checking on him before claiming that he had stopped the attacker from stabbing him.
“Someone tried to stab me on stage during this evening’s rally, but fortunately, I was able to grab his wrist and stop him for a few moments until others tackled him,” he wrote.
Zeldin said he is “ok,” and his running mate, Alison Esposito, “and all other attendees are safe.”
He continued, “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.”
Nick Langworthy, the chair of NY Republicans, said, “He is fine. He’s not seriously injured. It’s just a chaotic scene there,” adding that the congressman had “just a little scrape.”
“The attack on @leezeldin at our rally tonight highlights exactly why I’m ALL IN to help him secure our streets,” Esposito wrote. “Thankful for the law enforcement officers who responded & all who aided in apprehending the attacker. We are safe & the Zeldin-Esposito ticket won’t be deterred.”
