Two boys, ages 12 and 13, have been arrested and charged following a street attack last week on former New York Governor David Paterson and his 20-year-old stepson on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, officials reported.
The two minors, whose names were not disclosed, surrendered to authorities around 8 p.m. on Saturday, accompanied by their parents, according to the New York Police Department (NYPD).
A third child, initially sought in connection with the attack, also turned themselves in but was not charged after officers determined they were not involved, officials said.
The 12-year-old suspect was charged with second-degree gang assault, while the 13-year-old faced a charge of third-degree gang assault, according to the NYPD.
“Governor Paterson and his family are relieved the suspects came forward,” said Sean Darcy, spokesperson for Paterson, in a statement to the media. “We hope the young individuals involved take a valuable lesson from this unfortunate incident.”
The altercation occurred around 8:35 p.m. last Friday on 2nd Avenue near 96th Street on the Upper East Side, according to the NYPD.
What started as a “verbal altercation” between the suspects and the 70-year-old former governor and his stepson escalated into a physical confrontation, police said. Initially, it was reported that up to five individuals may have been involved.
Paterson’s spokesperson mentioned that the suspects had a “previous interaction” with the former governor’s stepson and that the attack took place near their residence.
During the assault, the suspects struck both Paterson and his stepson in the face and body, the police said.
Despite the attack, Paterson and his stepson were able to defend themselves, and the suspects fled the scene on foot, according to authorities.
The investigation remains ongoing, and police indicated that additional arrests are possible.
Both Paterson and his stepson were transported to the hospital in stable condition and have since been released, Paterson’s spokesperson confirmed.
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David Paterson, a Democrat, served as governor of New York from 2008 to 2010. He made history as the state’s first African American governor and the first legally blind governor in the United States.
