**Former Gov. David Paterson and Stepson Recover After Upper East Side Assault**

New York City police are on the lookout for five suspects involved in a "gang assault" on former New York Gov. David Paterson and his 20-year-old stepson. The incident occurred Friday evening around 8:35 p.m. near 96th Street and 2nd Avenue in Manhattan, officials confirmed.

The altercation began as a heated verbal exchange between the suspects and the 70-year-old former governor and his stepson. According to the NYPD, the suspects had previously interacted with Paterson's stepson. The confrontation quickly escalated to physical violence, with the suspects striking both Paterson and his stepson in the face and body.

Despite the aggressive assault, Paterson and his stepson successfully defended themselves, causing the suspects to flee on foot. Emergency services transported the pair to a hospital, where they were treated and later released in stable condition.

David Paterson, who served as New York's governor from 2008 to 2010, is noted for being the state’s first African American governor and the first legally blind governor in the United States. Paterson's spokesperson expressed gratitude for the quick police response and the widespread support received from the community.

The spokesperson also conveyed that while Paterson's primary concern today is the performance of Kodai Senga and the New York Mets, he disapproves of any attempts to use the incident for personal or political advantage. Updates will be provided as new information becomes available.