Two teenagers have been charged in connection with the attack on the former Governor of New York David Paterson and his that of his stepson Anthony Sliwa.
The pair turned themselves in at a police station in New York City on Saturday night together with their parents.
The teens face second degree assault charges following the assault on Paterson, 70, and Sliwa, 20, as they walked the family dog on Manhattan’s Upper East Side on Friday night.
Earlier on Saturday, clear footage was released that shows a gang of youths prowling the streets of the Upper East Side on Friday night moments before the attack took place.
Patterson and Sliwa were close to Second Avenue at about 8:30pm when they were set upon by the group.
Footage has been released that shows five young thugs prowling the streets of Manhattan’s Upper East Side on Friday night
Former New York Governor David Paterson and his stepson Anthony Sliwa were walking along a street on the Upper East Side when they both attacked
The thugs included a girl who was seen in video footage wearing purple braids. Along with the footage the NYD released photos of the suspects believed to be responsible for the attack.
Sliwa sustained minor injuries after being assaulted by the four men and a woman, police said Saturday.
The former governor, a Democrat, and Sliwa were both treated at a nearby hospital for minor injuries to the face and were released early on Saturday, the New York Police Department said.
Paterson, who is legally blind, also sustained minor injuries to his body.
In a statement, police labeled the attack a ‘gang assault’ and sought help from the public to learn more.
Paterson served as governor from 2008 to 2010, assuming the post after Governor Eliot Spitzer resigned following a prostitution scandal. Paterson was the state’s first black governor.
At a news conference on Saturday close to the scene of the attack on Second Avenue, Paterson said he and his stepson were walking the dog when they first encountered some of the assailants.
The NYPD released images of the suspects on social media asking for the public’s assistance in identifying them
Former Governor of New York David Paterson and his 20-year-old son were injured by five suspects at approximately 8:30pm on Second Avenue on the Upper East Side of Manhattan,
Police were on the scene looking for evidence that might help them trace the suspects
He told them he would call the police if they did not stop climbing up the fire escape of a building.
Later, Paterson said, he and his stepson who is the son of Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa, went for a second walk and encountered the group once again near East 97th Street about 8:30pm.
They got into an argument with the gang before two of them attacked the pair.
‘He was holding off as many other people as he could, but then it became four-to-one, five-to-one, six-to-one, and he was knocked to the ground and dazed by the experience,’ Paterson said.
‘I got punched in the face a couple times. I got punched on the shoulder.’
Paterson said his stepson fought off multiple attackers, but he ended up with a cut to the face that required several stitches.
‘When they were insulting him and then starting to fight him, he didn’t back down. And I think that took a lot of courage, a lot of bravery,’ Paterson said.
Anthony Sliwa, 20, is the son of Guardian Angels found Curtis Sliwa, seen left
Police were on the scene shortly after the attack which occurred on Friday night about 8:30pm
Evidence markers are seen at the scene where Paterson and Sliwa were attacked
The group were seen loitering around outside a McDonald’s
Police are hopeful the relatively clear footage will lead to the arrest of the suspects
Sean Darcy, a spokesperson for Paterson, said in a statement that Paterson and Sliwa were able to fight off their attackers.
Paterson and his wife, Mary, ‘are thankful for the quick response time from the police and the outpouring of support they have received from people across all spectrums,’ Darcy said.
Paterson said neither he nor his stepson knew the attackers and don’t think the attack was based on Paterson’s history in politics.
‘This is another attack that is plaguing the Upper East Side, which used to be a very safe place to live. It doesn’t not matter who you are and where you’re from and unfortunately the governor and my son became victims of this,’ Anthony’s father, Curtis Sliwa said.
‘There are no rules any longer – anyone, even if you’re elderly, is prone to be attacked.’
Curtis Sliwa, who founded the anti-crime group The Guardian Angels has offered to help search for the attackers. He is pictured alongside his son, Anthony who trained in martial arts
Sliwa, who founded the anti-crime group The Guardian Angels has offered to help search for the attackers but he believes soft-on-crime Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg would release them on bail even if they are caught.
‘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,’ Sliwa said, noting how he is planning another run for mayor.
‘That is why I am running,’ Sliwas said to the New York Post. ‘I am the only law and order guy who is running. Everyone else bends over backwards to help criminals.’
New York City crime date shows the number of assaults are up by 5 percent compared to this time last year and a massive 40 percent compared to 2019.
