Former New York Governor David Paterson and his stepson were attacked while walking their dog in Manhattan on Friday night. The incident occurred when the 70-year-old Paterson and his 20-year-old stepson encountered three young suspects, believed to be teenagers, climbing a fire escape on Second Avenue near East 96th Street just before 9 p.m.
According to reports from the New York Post, the pair told the suspects to stop and began walking away. However, the suspects allegedly attacked them soon after. Paterson’s spokesperson, Sean Darcy, stated that the attackers had a previous interaction with Paterson’s stepson.
Both Paterson and his stepson sustained injuries during the attack but managed to fend off their assailants. Paterson suffered a head injury, while his stepson had a more serious facial injury. The two were transported to a local hospital for treatment.
As of Friday night, no arrests had been made in connection with the assault.
Paterson served as governor of New York from 2008 to 2010. He is married to Mary Sliwa, the ex-wife of Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa.