Democratic Rep. Jared Moskowitz on Friday said police notified him of a “potential plot” against his life before the election and that the would-be assassin was arrested not far from his Florida home.
“The day before the election, I was notified by the Margate Police Department, located in my congressional district, about a potential plot on my life,” Mr. Moskowitz said in a statement. “The individual in question was arrested not far from my home; he is a former felon who was in possession of a rifle, a suppressor and body armor.”
He added, “Found with him was a manifesto that, among other things, included antisemitic rhetoric and only my name on the ‘target’ list.”
Mr. Moskowitz, who is Jewish, said that he wouldn’t share further details in order to not interfere with the investigation.
The Margate Police Department said in a statement that it arrested John Lapinski, 41, on Nov. 2 for “possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and other firearms related charges,” and that officers found “several firearms and evidence that indicated he may have been planning some type of criminal act.”
The statement included no explicit mention of Mr. Moskowitz.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is leading the probe, the Margate police said.
Mr. Moskowitz, who just won a second term in the House on Tuesday, said he understood “the failures and importance of fixing the protection of our current and future commander in chief and vice president.
“At the same time, I am deeply worried about congressional member security and the significant lack thereof when we are in the district. Regardless of our political affiliations or differences, we all have families we want to keep safe.”
• Alex Miller can be reached at amiller@washingtontimes.com.
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