NEW YORK — More than a week after actor Steve Buscemi was punched in an apparent random attack in New York City, police arrested a suspect Friday in connection with the case.
Fifty-year-old Clifton Williams, who police were looking for since at least Monday, was charged with second degree assault after being taken into custody for questioning Friday afternoon.
Buscemi, known for his starring role in “Boardwalk Empire,” was attacked on May 8 while walking on Manhattan’s Lower East Side.
Exclusive video obtained by CBS New York showed the 66-year-old actor walking south on Third Avenue and looked up to greet someone before crossing the street.
A man then punched Buscemi moments later, police said.
Additional video showed the same man appearing to be talking to himself while walking north on Third Avenue, moments before the unprovoked attack.
Buscemi, a Brooklyn native and former FDNY firefighter, was taken to Bellevue Hospital for bruising, swelling and bleeding to his left eye. He was released, but declined an on-camera interview days later.
NYPD investigating more assaults in 2024
Monday, the NYPD said felony assaults in New York City were up 15% year-to-date, and misdemeanor assaults had increased by about 7%.
“We are seeing an uptick, and of course that’s scary to all of us, but it doesn’t mean it’s a trend that’s going to continue,” former NYPD Commissioner Rich Esposito told CBS New York.
In March, actor Michael Stuhlbarg, Buscemi’s co-star on “Boardwalk Empire,” was attacked at random while running on the Upper East Side.
Actor Rick Moranis was randomly attacked on the Upper West Side in 2020.
Carol Dennis is an entertainment aficionado with an eye for all things pop culture. She dives into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry, from movie premieres to music festivals. Carol’s passion for storytelling extends beyond her reporting, as she’s an aspiring screenwriter in her free time.
