2 boys arrested after assault on former NY Gov. David Paterson and stepson in NYC: police

NEW YORK - Two young boys were arrested after allegedly assaulting former NY Gov. David Paterson and his stepson on the Upper East Side, police said.

Police said the boys, ages 12 and 13, were charged with gang assault.

The incident happened on Friday around 8:35 p.m. in front of 1871 2nd Avenue. The attackers hit both men multiple times before fleeing the scene. 

Both Paterson and his son suffered injuries to the face and head. Both were taken to a nearby hospital and later released. 

"Anthony had five stitches put in his lower lip. He has a number of bruises. He was pretty badly injured in the confrontation," Paterson said.

"My stepson, Anthony Silwa, was walking his dog on the other side of this building when he saw three rather young people climbing up the side of the building, which has been a way that people have been able to gain access to the building and either vandalize or rob the building in the past. He admonished them that he was going to call the police. They came down and they kind of had a brief argument," Paterson said. 

Paterson said it turned into a huge physical confrontation and the former governor and his stepson were outnumbered. 

According to police, neither Paterson nor his stepson knew the attackers.

Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, or on X @NYPDTips.