A New York man has been arrested on charges of making terroristic threats and reckless endangerment after threatening to kill supporters of Republican Congressman Lee Zeldin and President Donald J. Trump.
Suffolk County police arrested Martin Astrof, 75, Friday morning after the Long Island resident made troubling remarks to Rep. Zeldin's staffers at his campaign headquarters, according to a press release. At around 11:15 AM, Astrof became angry and then threatened to kill those who support New York's first congressional district representative and the president of the United States. The man then hopped in his car, aggressively backed up the vehicle, and nearly struck a GOP campaign worker before fleeing the scene.
Astrof was arrested shortly after in front of his Nesconset home. He was "charged with Making a Terroristic Threat, a felony, and Reckless Endangerment 2nd Degree." He was "held overnight at the Fourth Precinct and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on July 7."
Rep. Zeldin responded by praising the campaign worker, Donato Panico, for his "passion and involvement" in his campaign. The congressman also urged Americans to settle political differences in the ballot box.
In the US, political scores are settled at the ballot box, not by trying to kill your political opponents. Donato Panico is a great American, supporter of @realDonaldTrump & one of my campaign vols. He shouldn't have been targeted like this today for his passion & involvement. https://t.co/Rh8Ae6MR4x
— Lee Zeldin (@leezeldin) July 7, 2018
Photo provided by Suffolk County Police
