A man who allegedly struck actor Steve Buscemi in New York now faces a felony assault charge.
Clifton Williams, a 50-year-old man, has claimed innocence regarding assault charges, as per court records. His legal counsel could not be reached for response.
The DA's office has yet to identify the two victims Williams allegedly attacked, but authorities mentioned that Williams is culpable for assaulting Buscemi (66) and a 22-year-old person in separate incidents, as per CNN. These violent incidents represent a series of random assaults in New York City, where individuals claim they were unexpectedly punched in the face while strolling on the street.
On May 8th, Williams reportedly assaulted two individuals within a 10-minute span.
Firstly, Williams hit a 22-year-old man on Third Avenue and East 15th Street in the Gramercy area, near Union Square. This resulted in severe bruising and facial swelling to the victim, according to the district attorney's office.
Seconds later, Williams punched a 66-year-old man on East 27th Street and Third Avenue in Kips Bay, a district close to New York's Flatiron District. The man was engrossed in his phone when he was assaulted, causing him to fall and become unconscious. The 66-year-old victim's eye was reportedly bleeding, swollen, and bruised, leading to him being hospitalized.
The second-degree assault charge is considered a felony. In accordance with New York laws, if a victim is above 65 years old and the culprit is at least 10 years younger, a misdemeanor assault charge is escalated to a felony.
CNN has reached out to Buscemi's representatives for comment.
Buscemi's publicist acknowledged that the actor is among the growing number of victims of random violence in the city, remarking that "Buscemi appreciates everyone's well wishes, though incredibly sad for everyone that this has happened to while also walking the streets of NY."
Buscemi was born in Brooklyn, New York, and is renowned for his roles in films like "Reservoir Dogs" (1992) and "Fargo" (1996), along with TV series such as "Boardwalk Empire" and "30 Rock."
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Despite the ongoing incidents of random violence in New York City, many people still enjoy exploring the city for its various entertainment offerings. After the assault incidents, Buscemi continued to express his love for the city, stating that it's still a place where culturally rich entertainment experiences can be had.
