Former governor of New York, David Paterson and his stepson, aged 20, were subjected to assault on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, as reported by law enforcement officials. The pair were given medical attention and subsequently discharged from Weill Cornell Medical Center in the early hours of the following Saturday, affirming their injuries were not serious. The young man involved in the incident, Anthony Chester Sliwa, is the biological child of Guardian Angels founder and previous mayoral candidate, Curtis Sliwa.
Paterson, along with his spouse, Mary, has expressed gratitude for the immediate intervention of police and the flood of supportive messages from various quarters. The unexpected incident took place while the former governor was on a stroll with his stepson. The assailants, who had prior connections with the young Sliwa, were momentarily repelled by the pair.
Based on the narrative provided by the police, the former governor, age 70, and his stepson found themselves in a feud with five unidentified individuals near the vicinity of Second Avenue and 96th Street. The altercation occurred after 8:30 p.m. on the said Friday. Out of the assailants, four were confirmed to be male and one female.
As per official reports, this group proceeded to attack Paterson and Sliwa, striking them in the face and other parts of their bodies. Injuries were reported for both individuals involved, with Paterson sustaining damage to his face and head, while Sliwa’s injuries were primarily on his face.
Early Saturday morning reports from the police clarified that no apprehensions connected to the incident had been made at that point. Paterson, a renowned Democratic figure, has been consistently outspoken on issues related to crime in recent times. He has frequently been a target of Republican critics, who accuse members of the Democratic party of causing apprehension among urban residents about public safety.
However, Paterson has underscored the necessity to refrain from exploiting such incidents for political leverage. Even as the aftermath of the incident unfurls, Paterson’s stance against politicizing personal tragedies offers a reminder on the respect for personal distress over political rivalries. Further news on the event is awaited.