LONG ISLAND, NY – Two people were shot and found under the porch of the home of Lee Zeldin, the Republican candidate for Governor of New York. Zeldin is running against incumbent Democrat Kathy Hochul.
The Suffolk County Police Department confirmed the incident and said the Zeldin family was not connected to the shooting in any way.
Zelden said the incident happened outside his home Sunday afternoon at around 2:18 pm.
“My 16-year-old daughters, Mikayla and Arianna, were at our house doing homework, while my wife, Diana, and I were in the car, having just departed the Bronx Columbus Day Parade in Morris Park,” he said. “After my daughters heard the gunshots and the screaming, they ran upstairs, locked themselves in the bathroom and immediately called 911. One of the bullets was found about 30 feet from where they were doing their homework.”
Police did not identify the suspects in the incident.
Zeldin who criticized Democrats and Governor Kathy Hochul for a rise in violent crime across New York state said he is fortunate that his family was not wounded in the shooting.
“The two individuals who were shot were lying down under my front porch and the bushes in front of our porch,” he said. “Law enforcement is currently at our house. My entire family is at home working with the investigators and providing the security footage from our home cameras.”
Zeldin said his two daughters were visibly shaken, but are doing ok.
“Like so many New Yorkers, crime has literally made its way to our front door. My family is grateful to all who have reached out and we will provide another update when we can,” he said on Sunday.
In July, Zeldin was attacked during a campaign rally in Rochester.