Former NY Gov. David Paterson attacked on Manhattan street, NYPD says

Former Gov. David Paterson and his 20 year-old stepson were assaulted on Manhattan’s Upper East Side Friday evening, according to the governor’s spokesperson and police.

Paterson was taking a walk around the block with his 20-year-old stepson, Anthony Chester Sliwa, when they were “attacked” by a group of people who “had a previous interaction with his stepson,” according to his spokesperson Sean Darcy, who said they were “able to fight off their attackers.”

According to police, Paterson, 70, and his stepson were in an argument near Second Avenue and 96th Street with five unidentified people, just after 8:30 p.m. Friday. Four were described by officials as male and one of whom was female. Members of the group then struck the pair in the face and “about the body,” officials said.

Police said Paterson was injured in the face and head, and his stepson was also injured in the face. The NYPD on Sunday said officers arrested and charged two boys, ages 12 and 13, with gang assault for their role in the attack. A police spokesperson said the department would not release their names because they are minors.

Paterson and Sliwa were sent home from the hospital early Saturday morning after being taken to Weill Cornell Medical Center “as a precaution” on Friday evening, according to Darcy.

“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 said in a statement via text message on Saturday.

Anthony is the biological son of former mayoral candidate and Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa.

Darcy said the governor “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.”

Paterson, a Democrat, has been vocal on crime in recent years, as Republicans have sought to cast blame on members of his party for unease from some city residents around public safety.

But Paterson has urged others not to politicize the incident.

“The Governor’s main concern today is Kodai Senga and the New York Mets, but we will provide any additional updates as necessary,” his spokesperson said in an update on Saturday.

This story was updated with information on the arrests of two boys who allegedly attacked Paterson.