Patchogue Man Reports Attack While Volunteering for Campaign

Suffolk County Police are investigating an incident in which a Patchogue man said he was shot by a pellet gun on Monday while working as a volunteer for State Senator Brian Foley's campaign.

Francisco Hernandez of Patchogue, said that he was putting up signs along Montauk Highway in North Bellport at 10 p.m. when he claims to have been harrassed by an individual driving a black pickup truck he said had a Lee Zeldin sign on it. Zeldin was the Foley's GOP opponent in the race for the 3rd Senate District.

Hernandez said the vehicle approached him and he felt what he described as a bee sting and fell to the ground.

"I see the guy shooting at me and thought I was shot by a bullet," Hernandez said. He described the alleged shooter as a man in his 40s, slim and wearing a war hat, but was otherwise difficult to see.

After the encounter, Hernandez said he called police and an ambulance treated him on-scene. Hernandez said police identified the wounds as being from a pellet gun and not from a bullet.

"It was probably people being very emotional," Hernandez said. He also said that he does not currently plan to press charges against the perpetrator, saying that he is just glad to be alive.

Hernandez said that Foley apologized to him for the incident.

Suffolk County Police stated that while a police report has been filed, there is currently no specific evidence to go on. Police also said that they are looking to see if there are video surveillance tapes in the area that can be used for evidence for the investigation.

Neither Foley nor Zeldin were available to comment as of press time.