Police have identified the individual sought for allegedly sucker-punching actor Steve Buscemi on a Manhattan street.The incident occurred in Kips Bay on May 8, when a stranger approached Buscemi, who was leaning against a wall and texting on his phone around noon. The attacker struck Buscemi in the face before fleeing.
Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene at Third Avenue and East 28th Street, taking Buscemi to Bellevue Hospital for treatment. He sustained bruising, swelling, and bleeding to his left eye as a result of the assault.
Buscemi's publicist confirmed the incident, stating that the actor is okay and appreciates the well-wishes but is saddened by the event. The NYPD released surveillance images of the suspect, later identified as 50-year-old Clifton Williams. The search for Williams is ongoing.
Buscemi, known for his roles in "Fargo," "Reservoir Dogs," and "Boardwalk Empire," was last seen on screen in the final season of "Curb Your Enthusiasm." This attack follows a similar incident involving another "Boardwalk Empire" actor, Michael Stuhlbarg, who was struck in the head with a rock near Central Park on March 31. A homeless man, Xavier Israel, was arrested in connection with that attack and faces assault and harassment charges. Israel is also linked to a previous assault on a good Samaritan in Manhattan.