In a shocking incident that unfolded on Friday night, former New York Governor David Paterson and his stepson were allegedly assaulted by a group of young individuals in Manhattan while out walking their dog.
The 70-year-old former governor and his 20-year-old stepson encountered five unidentified individuals, possibly teenagers, scaling a fire escape on Second Avenue near East 96th Street, according to police sources who spoke to the New York Post.
As reported by Fox News, the victims requested the suspects to cease their actions and attempted to leave the scene, only to be attacked. The New York Police Department (NYPD) confirmed that Paterson and his stepson were "engaged in a verbal altercation with 5 unidentified individuals." The NYPD further detailed that following the verbal exchange, the suspects "struck both victims in the face and about the body" before making their escape down 2nd Avenue.
Sean Darcy, the spokesperson for the former Democratic governor, revealed in a statement that the suspects "had a previous interaction with [Paterson's] stepson." He added, "They both suffered some injuries but were able to fight off their attackers." The injuries sustained by Paterson included a head wound, while his stepson suffered facial injuries, with the latter's condition being more severe, according to the police.
Both victims were subsequently transported to a local hospital for medical treatment. Darcy informed Fox News Digital that Paterson and his stepson, Anthony, were discharged early Saturday morning. He also conveyed a message from the former governor, "The Governor's only request is that people refrain from attempting to use an unfortunate act of violence for their own personal or political gain." Darcy further stated that Paterson and his wife, Mary, expressed their gratitude for the swift response from the police and the support they received from people across all spectrums.
As of Friday night, no arrests had been made in connection with the attack. The NYPD has released descriptions of the suspects and appealed to the public for assistance in identifying them. The suspects include a female with a dark complexion and purple braids, and four males with varying complexions, all last seen in distinctive attire.
David Paterson, who served as the governor of New York from 2008 to 2010, is married to Mary Sliwa, the ex-wife of Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa. The news of the attack on the former governor has left local residents in shock. Nate Cutler, a local resident, expressed his surprise, "It's pretty crazy it happened here, but it kind of makes sense. There's a decent amount of crime in this neighborhood." Another resident, Beth, who lives near the crime scene, shared her thoughts on the incident, "I don't know what he [Paterson] was telling them to do and what unsafe way they were behaving in, but yeah, that's just unfortunate."
The incident raises questions about the safety of the neighborhood and the audacity of the attackers to assault a prominent former politician. It also underscores the need for effective law enforcement and community vigilance to deter such incidents in the future.
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