NEW YORK – Long Island police are investigating a shooting near the home of US Congressman Lee Zeldin, the Republican candidate for governor of New York.
Two people were shot dead in Shirley at around 2:20 pm Sunday in Saint George Drive West, Suffolk County police said. The victims were rushed to nearby hospitals, but their condition was not immediately known.
Law enforcement sources said the shooting does not appear to be related to the candidate for governor, whose residence is on the same street as the shooting.
“The two people who were shot were lying under my porch and in the bushes in front of our porch. I heard they were transported to local hospitals. I don’t know their identities, “Zeldin said in a statement.
Zeldin and his wife, Diana, had just left the Bronx Columbus Day Parade in Morris Park and were in the car at the time of the shooting, the congressman said. His 16-year-old daughters were home doing their homework, but none were injured, he added.
“After my daughters heard the shots and screams, they ran upstairs, locked themselves in the bathroom and immediately called 9-1-1,” Zeldin said in a statement. “They acted very quickly and intelligently every step of the way and Diana and I are extremely proud of them.”
“My daughters are shocked, but that’s okay,” the Republican rep continued. “Like many New Yorkers, crime has literally come to our doorstep. My family is grateful to everyone who contacted us.”
It is unclear what triggered the shooting or whether police identified possible suspects.
Governor Kathy Hochul, the Democratic candidate for governor of New York, said she was informed of the shooting and was relieved that Zeldin and his family were safe.
