A “suspect” is in custody in connection with an attack that injured actor Steve Bushemi on Manhattan’s Third Avenue last week, according to the New York Police Department.
The 66-year-old former “Boardwalk Empire” and “The Sopranos” star suffered a bloody eye injury during the May 8 ambush, police said.
They previously identified 50-year-old Clifton Williams as a suspect in the case but declined to confirm he was the man arrested Friday.
“As of now, we have one person of interest in custody,” an NYPD spokesperson told Fox News Digital.
While Buscemi was being treated at the hospital, Williams changed his appearance and fled Manhattan, law enforcement sources said.
Suspect in attack on actor Steve Buscemi identified
The New York Police Department has identified 50-year-old Clifton Williams as the suspect in the beating of actor Steve Buscemi in a random attack in Manhattan last week. (Fox 5 New York)
“Steve Buscemi was attacked in downtown Manhattan, another victim of random acts of violence in the city,” the actor’s spokesperson earlier told Fox News Digital. “He is fine and thanks everyone for their well wishes, although it makes everyone very sad that something like this happened. [him] while also walking on the streets of New York.
The attack occurred around noon on May 8. A man in blue walked up and punched him in the face, causing his left eye to swell and bleed.
The photo shows him back in action filming a movie in the city, with dark circles under his eyes hidden behind a pair of sunglasses.
Actor Steve Buscemi injured and bleeding after attacking police in New York chasing attacker
Witnesses told ABC News in New York that Buscemi was a former firefighter who went to Ground Zero after 9/11 to volunteer with his former battalion and chased the attackers after the attack.
Steve Buscemi attends the World Premiere of Peacock’s “Bupkis” at the Apollo Theater on April 27, 2023 in New York City. (Roy Rocklin/Getty Images)
Surveillance footage released by police showed Williams wearing a blue shirt and sweatpants and carrying a backpack near the crime scene.
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In March of this year, another “Boardwalk” star, Michael Stuhlbarg, was also randomly attacked in Manhattan. Someone threw a stone at him from behind.
He detained his attacker until the NYPD arrived on the case.
