NEW YORK, NY - Former New York Governor David Paterson, 70, was reportedly attacked and assaulted by at least five minors while walking his dog with his stepson Anthony Sliwa on the Upper East Side of Manhattan Friday night. Paterson, who is legally blind, was reportedly struck in the face multiple times. Both men stood their ground, with Sliwa defending the former Governor.
The NYPD told reporters that two of the five assailants, boys aged 12 and 13, were arrested after turning themselves in according to The Post Millennial. The three remaining suspects, one boy, and adult male and a girl are still at large. Police are calling the altercation a "gang assault."
As reported by The Associated Press, Paterson and his stepson were treated at a nearby hospital for minor injuries to their faces and bodies. Paterson told reporters that he and Sliwa were walking the family dog when they interacted with some of the attackers who were climbing a fire escape on a Second Avenue building. The former Governor warned them to come down or he would contact the police. Later that evening, he and Sliwa encountered the group again and they argued. The group then attacked.
Per the AP, Paterson sustained a cut to his face that required stitches.
Curtis Sliwa, founder of Guardian Angels, former Republican mayoral candidate, and Anthony's father, spoke out about the incident, saying, "They spotted these teens making their way up a fire escape. Anthony told the teens to come down. They did and were talking crap and went away. At that point [Paterson and Anthony] walked east on 96th street and when they turned the block, the teens were in a McDonalds with two adults and [all five came outside] confronted them. David and Anthony had no choice but to defend themselves."
He continued, "Anthony was able to hold them off because Gov. Paterson is sight-challenged, but the governor was also in the middle of this too and they both stood their ground."
Sliwa offered harsh criticism for the soft-on-crime policies of District Attorney Alvin Bragg, saying, "I know what’s going to happen – when and if they get arrested, Bragg will cut them loose like they always does and they will be free to do it again and again."
Sean Darcy a spokesman for Gov. Paterson told the outlet, "Governor Paterson and his family are glad to see the suspects turned themselves in. We hope that the young people involved learn something from this unfortunate encounter."
The NYPD told reporters that two of the five assailants, boys aged 12 and 13, were arrested after turning themselves in according to The Post Millennial. The three remaining suspects, one boy, and adult male and a girl are still at large. Police are calling the altercation a "gang assault."
WANTED-GANG ASSAULT On 10/4/24 @NYPD23Pct the victim's were engaged in a verbal altercation with 5 unidentified individuals. Following the verbal altercation, the individuals struck both victims in the face & the body. Any info call us at 800-577-TIPS pic.twitter.com/BfTDnCIxQI
— NYPD Crime Stoppers (@NYPDTips) October 5, 2024
As reported by The Associated Press, Paterson and his stepson were treated at a nearby hospital for minor injuries to their faces and bodies. Paterson told reporters that he and Sliwa were walking the family dog when they interacted with some of the attackers who were climbing a fire escape on a Second Avenue building. The former Governor warned them to come down or he would contact the police. Later that evening, he and Sliwa encountered the group again and they argued. The group then attacked.
Per the AP, Paterson sustained a cut to his face that required stitches.
Curtis Sliwa, founder of Guardian Angels, former Republican mayoral candidate, and Anthony's father, spoke out about the incident, saying, "They spotted these teens making their way up a fire escape. Anthony told the teens to come down. They did and were talking crap and went away. At that point [Paterson and Anthony] walked east on 96th street and when they turned the block, the teens were in a McDonalds with two adults and [all five came outside] confronted them. David and Anthony had no choice but to defend themselves."
He continued, "Anthony was able to hold them off because Gov. Paterson is sight-challenged, but the governor was also in the middle of this too and they both stood their ground."
Sliwa offered harsh criticism for the soft-on-crime policies of District Attorney Alvin Bragg, saying, "I know what’s going to happen – when and if they get arrested, Bragg will cut them loose like they always does and they will be free to do it again and again."
Sean Darcy a spokesman for Gov. Paterson told the outlet, "Governor Paterson and his family are glad to see the suspects turned themselves in. We hope that the young people involved learn something from this unfortunate encounter."
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