Sources – NBC New York

Former New York Gov. David Paterson and his stepson were attacked by a group of teenagers on a Manhattan sidewalk Friday night, according to law enforcement officials.

Paterson was with his 20-year-old stepson, Anthony Chester Sliwa, who was walking his dog on Second Avenue near East 96th Street on the Upper East Side, sources who spoke with the family said. They noticed three teenagers playing on a fire escape and asked them to get off, law enforcement sources told NBC New York.

The teens came down and followed the former governor and his stepson to the corner in front of a McDonald's on Second Avenue, where they attacked them, sources said. According to police officials, Sliwa was punched in the face during the attack.

Both were taken to NY-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center after suffering minor bumps and bruises. Patterson, 70, was hit several times during the attack, two sources said, but appeared OK and was alert late Friday night. His stepson suffered more serious cuts and bruises and possibly a concussion, but sources said he was expected to recover.

Paterson's stepson Anthony is the son of Guardian Angels founder and former Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa, who confirmed his son was attacked. Sliwa said he is grateful his son is recovering.

A spokesman for the former governor released a statement saying the attack occurred near Paterson's home and that the teens “had previously had contact with his stepson.”

“They both suffered some injuries but were able to fend off their attackers. They are currently at Cornell Hospital as a precautionary measure. They have already filed a police report, no further information is available at this time,” the statement said.

The three teenagers who attacked Paterson and his stepson took off immediately afterwards. The police were looking for them.

CORRECTION: Police sources initially said Paterson was with his son at the time of the attack. He was dating his stepson, Anthony Chester Sliwa.