MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) – A man accused of punching two strangers in just 10 minutes, one of them actor Steve Buscemi, was indicted on assault charges, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced Tuesday.
Prosecutors say 50-year-old Clifton Williams’ high-profile attacks in Gramercy and Kips Bay were unprovoked. Williams, who officials said is unhoused, was arrested on May 17 and held on bail.
“No person should fear for their safety when walking through Manhattan and those who threaten or harm pedestrians will be held accountable,” Bragg said in a statement Tuesday.
Prosecutors said the violence started around 11:30 a.m. on May 8, when Williams allegedly punched a 22-year-old man in the face on the sidewalk near East 15th Street and Third Avenue.
He then went on to punch a 66-year-old near Third Avenue and East 27th Street, according to prosecutors.
“Steve Buscemi was assaulted in Mid-Town Manhattan, another victim of a random act of violence in the city,” according to an earlier statement from Buscemi’s publicist. “He is ok and appreciates everyone’s well wishes.”
The alleged attacker pleaded not guilty in court – but court records show he confessed to officials when shown photos and surveillance videos of the victims.
Williams is expected back in court in August, court records show.
Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter from Los Angeles who has covered New York City since 2023. She joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter here.
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