Two teens have been arrested in connection with an attack on former New York Governor David Paterson and his stepson as they walked their dog in Manhattan. The teens were identified as a 12-year-old male charged with second-degree gang assault and a 13-year-old male charged with third-degree gang assault. Police had been searching for five suspects involved in the attack, which left Paterson with a head injury and his stepson with a more severe injury to his face. The former governor and his stepson were treated at a local hospital for their injuries.
Paterson, who is legally blind, explained that his stepson initially encountered three of the teens climbing a fire escape and yelled at them to come back down to the street, leading to an argument that ended peacefully. Later, they encountered the same teens on Second Avenue and an argument ensued. Two other adults intervened, sparking the physical fight that followed. Paterson stated that the teens did not start the fight, but were arguing when it escalated into a physical altercation. The former governor reported being punched in the face and shoulder during the incident.
Descriptions of the five suspects involved in the attack have been released by the police, who are seeking the public’s help in identifying them. Paterson and his stepson were released from the hospital following the incident. The ex-Democratic governor’s spokesperson asked for privacy and respect as Paterson and his wife, Mary, recover from the attack. Paterson served as governor of New York from 2008 to 2010, and his wife is Mary Sliwa, the ex-wife of Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa.
The attack on Paterson and his stepson took place on the Upper East Side of Manhattan just after 8:30 p.m. on a Friday night. The incident started as a verbal altercation between the two victims and five unidentified individuals, which escalated into a physical fight. Paterson recounted being punched in the face and shoulder during the altercation, and he defended himself by throwing one of the attackers against a McDonald’s window. Both Paterson and his stepson were treated at a local hospital following the attack.
The two teens arrested in connection with the assault were charged with gang assault, with one facing a second-degree charge and the other facing a third-degree charge. The names of the minors have been withheld due to their age. Police are still searching for the remaining three suspects involved in the attack. Paterson’s spokesperson emphasized that the former governor and his family are thankful for the quick response from the police and the support they have received from the community in the aftermath of the incident. Paterson and his stepson have been released from the hospital and are expected to recover from their injuries.
Despite the altercation, Paterson and his stepson are focused on their recovery and have asked for the public to refrain from using the incident for personal or political gain. The former governor has urged for privacy and respect during this difficult time. The attack on the two victims remains under investigation, and the police are seeking additional information from the public to identify and apprehend the remaining suspects involved. Paterson’s wife, Mary Sliwa, has been by his side as they navigate the aftermath of the violent assault.
