Two boys, ages 12 and 13, charged in assault on ex-New York Gov. David Paterson and stepson

Two boys, ages 12 and 13, were arrested after former New York Gov. David Paterson and his stepson were attacked while walking in Manhattan in what police are charging as a gang assault.

According to the New York Police Department, the assault took place Friday in the city's Upper East Side just after 8:30 p.m., and both victims were transported to hospitals.

The former governor, 70, and his 20-year-old son, Anthony Sliwa, "were engaged in a verbal altercation" with five suspects, and after the argument the individuals struck both victims multiple times in the face and body along Second Avenue, officials said.

Paterson, who is legally blind, suffered injuries to the face and head and was taken to the hospital in stable condition. His son suffered injuries to the face and was also transported in stable condition.

The suspect then fled on foot heading southbound on Second Avenue, police said. The area where the assault took place is outside a McDonald's and several other businesses.

Over the weekend, police announced they arrested a 12-year-old boy on a second-degree gang assault charge and a 13-year-old boy on a third-degree gang assault charge. The other three suspects remained at large on Monday, police said.

Paterson was the 55th governor of New York and the first Black person to step into the state's top political job. Eliot Spitzer's former lieutenant governor, Paterson took over the role after Spitzer resigned in 2008 amid a prostitution scandal. He held the post until 2010.

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Former Gov. David Paterson and son released from hospital

Sean Darcy, a spokesperson for Paterson, said the attack involved individuals who had a previous interaction with the ex-governor's stepson as the pair took a walk around the block near their home.

"They both suffered some injuries but were able to fight off their attackers," Darcy told USA TODAY Monday morning.

Both family members were released from the hospital Saturday, Darcy said, adding Paterson and his stepson "are both doing well."

Paterson said the pair were walking the family dog when they encountered the suspects, the Associated Press reported, "telling them he would summon the police if they did not stop climbing up the fire escape of a building."

The boys turned themselves into police after visiting a police precinct with their parents, Darcy confirmed.

"Governor Paterson and his family are glad to see the suspects turned themselves in," Darcy said. "We hope that the young people involved learn something from this unfortunate encounter. He and his wife, Mary, are thankful for the quick response time from the police and the outpouring of support they have received from people across all spectrums."

Descriptions of suspects who attacked David Paterson and stepson

Police released the following descriptions of the three other suspects.

• The first person is described as a female with dark complexion and having purple braids. She was last seen wearing light-colored pants, a dark colored sweater, and purple-and-black sneakers.
• The second person is described as a male with medium complexion. He was last seen wearing a gray T-shirt with graphic on it, black pants, and light colored shoes.
• The third person is described as a male with dark complexion. He was last seen wearing a T-shirt with graphic on it, a black sweatshirt, black pants, and light colored sneakers.

Anyone with information about the attack is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS. The public can also submit their tips online at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, or on X @NYPDTips.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.