In a shocking incident that unfolded on the Upper East Side of New York City, former New York Governor David Paterson and his stepson Anthony found themselves the victims of an assault on Friday night.
The incident, which occurred around 8:30 pm, led to the arrest of two boys, aged 12 and 13, who have since been charged with gang assault. The boys surrendered themselves at a local police precinct, accompanied by their parents.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) revealed that the assault involved at least five individuals, as reported by The Post Millennial. The identities of the assailants have been withheld due to their minor status. The NYPD released images of the attackers, which included a girl sporting purple braids. The police are still on the lookout for at least one adult believed to be involved in the incident. Another minor, initially sought in connection with the assault, turned himself in but was not charged, as the police determined he was not involved.
Paterson and his stepson were out walking their family dog when they noticed a group of individuals scaling a fire escape on Second Avenue near East 96th Street. Paterson warned the group to descend, threatening to alert the police if they failed to comply. The former governor, who is legally blind, and his stepson, the son of former mayoral candidate and Guardian Angels leader Curtis Sliwa, were left with no option but to defend themselves. "I was punched in the face a couple of times," Paterson revealed.
Following the incident, both Paterson and his stepson received treatment for minor injuries at a local hospital. Paterson suffered facial injuries, while Sliwa required five stitches in his lip. Paterson, who served as governor of the Empire State from 2008 to 2010 following Elliot Spitzer's resignation amid a prostitution scandal, expressed relief that the suspects had turned themselves in. "We hope that the young people involved learn something from this unfortunate encounter," said Paterson's spokesman, Sean Darcy.
Curtis Sliwa provided further details about the incident, stating, "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."
Sliwa also criticized the city's lax crime policies under Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg. "I know whats 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," he said.
The surveillance footage shows an adult wearing a Yankees cap, the girl with purple braids, and three young boys, according to the New York Post. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the escalating crime rates in the city and the urgent need for effective law enforcement strategies.
Login