Two minors charged with gang assault in attack on former New York Governor David Paterson, his stepson, in Manhattan
At least five people were involved in the attack, according to the NYPD, which did not release their names due to their status as minors.
Former New York Governor David Paterson and his stepson Anthony were attacked on New York City’s Upper East Side on Friday night at about 8:30 pm leading to the arrest of two boys, aged 12 and 13, who have been since charged with gang assault. The two turned themselves in at a police precinct accompanied by their parents.
At least five people were involved in the attack, according to the NYPD, which did not release their names due to their status as minors. Police released photos of the assailants, which included a girl wearing purple braids. At least one of those for whom they are searching, police said, is believed to be an adult. Another minor who was wanted in the attack turned himself in but police did not charge him, saying that he was not involved.
The former governor and his stepson were walking the family dog, Paterson said, when they saw a group of people climbing a fire escape on Second Avenue near East 96th Street. Paterson advised the group to get down, stating that he intended to call the police if they did not, per the AP. Paterson said that he and his stepson, who is the son of former mayoral candidate and head of the Guardian Angels Curtis Sliwa, “had no choice but to defend themselves.” Paterson said he was “punched in the face a couple times.”
Paterson and his stepson, were treated for minor injuries at a local hospital, including injuries to Paterson’s face. Sliwa required five stitches in his lip. The former governor is legally blind. Paterson served as governor of the Empire State after Elliot Spitzer resigned amid a prostitution scandal in 2008 and held the position until 2010.
“Governor Paterson and his family are glad to see the suspects turned themselves in,” Paterson spokesman Sean Darcy said. “We hope that the young people involved learn something from this unfortunate encounter.”
Curtis Sliwa spoke 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.”
“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 continued. He also slammed the city’s lax crime policies under Manhattan DA 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.”
Surveillance shows an adult in a Yankees cap, the girl with purple braids, and three young boys, the New York Post reported.