2 Teens Arrested Day After USE Attack – NBC New York

Two teenagers, ages 12 and 13, were arrested Saturday after an attack on former New York Gov. David Paterson and his stepson on Manhattan's Upper East Side.

Police said the boys were arrested on gang assault charges a day after Paterson and his 20-year-old stepson were beaten and injured in an evening sidewalk brawl. Investigators were looking for a total of five people in connection with the attack.

“Governor Paterson and his family are pleased that the suspects turned themselves in. We hope the young people involved learn something from this unfortunate encounter,” Paterson’s spokesman said in a statement on Sunday. “The governor is grateful to see the parents of the children hold them accountable and would also like to thank the NYPD for their strong work.”

The former governor described the incident in detail on Saturday, telling reporters that he was “hit in the face multiple times” and that his stepson Anthony Chester Sliwa needed five stitches in his lip.

Paterson, who is legally blind, and Sliwa were walking the family dog ​​on Second Avenue near East 96th Street at the time of the attack around 8:30 p.m. The attack was preceded by an altercation that occurred about 45 minutes earlier, Paterson said.

According to the former governor, Sliwa was walking the dog when he noticed a group of youths climbing the fire escape to a building.

“This is how people in the past have been able to gain access to the building and either destroy it or rob it,” Paterson explained. Sliwa, he said, admonished the boys.

Less than an hour later, Paterson was walking with his stepson when they encountered the same group of teenagers. But this time, Paterson said, the teens had support, including a few adults.

“[A woman] threw the first punches in the actual fight and another adult was the second person to throw punches,” he said.

Both Paterson and Sliwa were taken to hospital to be treated for bruises and cuts. They were released the next morning.