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NY man arrested on felony charge after alleged threats to kill Trump supporters, Republican lawmaker
Martin Astrof, 75, was charged with making a terroristic threat and second-degree reckless endangerment moments after he allegedly said he wanted to kill supporters of President Donald Trump and U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin, both Republicans. (Image Source: Suffolk County Police)

NY man arrested on felony charge after alleged threats to kill Trump supporters, Republican lawmaker

Martin Astrof, 75, was charged with making a terroristic threat and second-degree reckless endangerment shortly after he said he wanted to kill supporters of President Donald Trump and U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.)

What happened?

In a written statement, Suffolk Country Police said Astrof allegedly drove to the Nesconset, New York, campaign office for Zeldin and became irate with a worker there, around 11:15 a.m. on Friday, July 6.

Astrof allegedly threatened to kill campaign worker Donato Panico and other supporters, then backed up his car in an aggressive manner, nearly striking the Panico, according to published reports.

After Astrof fled the scene, he was arrested a short time later in front of his home in Nesconset, the police report states. The making a terroristic threat charge is a felony and the reckless endangerment charge is a misdemeanor.

Astrof was held overnight at the fourth precinct and was scheduled to be arraigned at the first district court in Central Islip on July 7, according to the report.

Were there other threats?

Zeldin, who has represented New York’s 1st Congressional district since 2015, said the threats have been coming in since Trump was elected. Zeldin wrote on Twitter that people “shouldn't fear death or serious injury for backing their Pres & Rep.”

Panico, a Long Island deli owner, drove to Ground Zero to feed first responders of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

“In thanks, 1 of the 1st responders gave him a flag flown near the pile. This flag has also been flown in Iraq & today I gave it to @realdonaldtrump in the Oval Office at Donato’s request,” Zeldin wrote on Twitter.

Zeldin is running for a third term and faces Democratic challenger Perry Gershon, a former commercial real estate lending executive.

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