On Friday night, former New York Governor David Paterson and his stepson were assaulted on the Upper East Side after a verbal confrontation with five individuals. Both suffered minor injuries and were taken to the hospital in stable condition. Read more about the incident here. Source: The Guardian
Newstro Quick Facts
- David Paterson and his stepson Anthony Sliwa were attacked after a verbal altercation with five people. Paterson sustained minor injuries to his face and body, while Sliwa also suffered minor injuries, but both are now in stable condition.
- The incident took place on New York’s Upper East Side, an upscale neighborhood, at approximately 8:30 p.m. The confrontation did not appear to be premeditated, according to the police.
- Curtis Sliwa, the father of Anthony Sliwa and founder of the Guardian Angels, praised his son’s efforts in holding off the attackers, mentioning that the former governor was also involved in defending himself.
On Friday evening, former New York Governor David Paterson and his stepson, Anthony Sliwa, were involved in an altercation that escalated into violence on the Upper East Side. Paterson, 70, and Sliwa, 20, were walking in the neighborhood when a verbal exchange with five people turned physical. Both Paterson and Sliwa sustained minor injuries but were taken to a nearby hospital in stable condition. According to reports, Paterson’s injuries were to his face and body, while Sliwa, the son of Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels and former mayoral candidate, also suffered facial injuries. Neither man is believed to have been specifically targeted in the attack.
The confrontation occurred at around 8:30 p.m., and both men managed to fend off their attackers. According to Curtis Sliwa, Anthony was able to hold them off to some degree, considering that Paterson is legally blind. In an interview with the New York Post, Curtis Sliwa stated that he was proud of how his son handled the situation and that both men “stood their ground” during the attack. The assailants reportedly fled the scene before the police could arrive, and as of now, no arrests have been made. The exact cause of the verbal dispute remains unclear, though reports suggest it may have stemmed from an earlier interaction between Anthony Sliwa and the group of five.
This incident adds to growing concerns over street crime in New York City, which has sparked numerous debates about public safety. Former Governor David Paterson is well-known as the first Black governor of New York, having served from 2008 to 2010 after the resignation of Eliot Spitzer. Paterson’s spokesperson, Sean Darcy, confirmed that the governor was recovering and urged the public not to exploit the incident for political gain. Paterson’s attack comes at a time when issues of crime and safety are under heightened scrutiny, with the upcoming trial of ex-Marine Daniel Penny for manslaughter over the death of Jordan Neely in the New York subway last year continuing to dominate headlines.
Definitions Table
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| David Paterson | Former governor of New York from 2008 to 2010 and the state’s first Black governor. |
| Curtis Sliwa | Founder of the anti-crime group Guardian Angels and former New York mayoral candidate. |
| Upper East Side | An affluent neighborhood in New York City where the incident occurred. |
| Guardian Angels | A volunteer organization dedicated to the prevention of crime, founded by Curtis Sliwa. |
| Daniel Penny | An ex-Marine currently on trial for manslaughter related to the death of Jordan Neely on a subway train. |
| Jordan Neely | A homeless man who was killed on a New York subway in 2023, sparking a public debate about safety and vigilantism. |
| Sean Darcy | Spokesperson for David Paterson who addressed the media after the attack. |
| New York Police Department | The primary law enforcement agency involved in investigating the attack on David Paterson and Anthony Sliwa. |