The man wanted in connection to last Sunday’s sucker-punch attack on “Boardwalk Empire” star Steve Buscemi was arrested last Friday and charged with two counts of assault.
Homeless man Clifton Williams, 50, was arrested after he showed up at the NYPD’s 10th Precinct in Chelsea to file a report about stolen property. The officers recognized Williams as the man wanted for assaulting Buscemi and took him into custody.
Williams was identified last Tuesday as the man who attacked Buscemi on Sunday, May 8 in Kips Bay while the actor was leaning against a wall and texting on his phone. According to the NYPD, Williams walked up to Buscemi and sucker-punched him in the face.
Paramedics transported the actor to Bellevue Hospital where he was treated for bleeding in his left eye, along with bruising and swelling.
Buscemi’s publicist confirmed the details of the attack and said the 66-year-old actor was doing all right and appreciated “everyone’s well wishes.”
Following the attack, the NYPD released still images from a nearby security camera that showed the suspect, hoping the public could help to track him down. Last Tuesday, the attacker was identified as Clifton Williams.
Officials confirmed on Thursday that Williams was homeless and was last seen staying at the Clay Street shelter in Greenpoint, Brooklyn on May 11. Williams reportedly stayed at the shelter for three nights after attacking Buscemi.
Williams had been staying at shelters throughout the city for several years, according to officials. He was living at the Bellevue Men’s Shelter in April before moving to the shelter in Greenpoint.
Steve Buscemi was the second “Boardwalk Empire” actor to be attacked in New York this spring.
In late March, actor Michael Stuhlbard was hit in the head with a rock as he was walking in Central Park. The culprit was later identified as Xavier Israel, a 27-year-old homeless man. Israel was arrested and charged with assault and harassment.
