" The attacker, identified as Clifton Williams, was arraigned on Saturday and was ordered to be held on $50,000 cash bail, as per court records.

The assault occurred on Third Avenue in Kips Bay when Williams, without any apparent motive, approached Buscemi and punched him in the eye before calmly walking away. The actor fell to the ground and suffered significant injuries, including bleeding, swelling, bruising, and severe pain, as stated in the criminal complaint filed against Williams.

Williams, 50 years old, has been charged with a felony count of second-degree assault due to the fact that Buscemi is over the age of 65. Additionally, he faces a misdemeanor assault charge for allegedly attacking a 22-year-old Asian man just minutes before assaulting the actor.

During the court proceeding in Manhattan Criminal Court, Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Barry revealed that Williams has an extensive criminal history spanning many years, including acts of violence. She requested bail of $100,000, highlighting Williams' recent arrival in New York City, but the judge, Marisol Martinez Alonso, set the bail at $50,000 cash or $150,000 bond.

Law enforcement sources confirmed that the NYPD had identified Williams through surveillance footage near the scene of the attack. They had been actively searching for him throughout the city, including at a homeless shelter in Brooklyn, believed to be his last known address.

Upon being confronted with the surveillance photo by the police, Williams confessed to being the person in the picture and admitted to both assaults, according to the criminal complaint. During his court appearance, Williams, dressed in black jeans, a black long sleeve sweatshirt, and gray high-top shoes, responded with a clear and loud "Yes, Your Honor."

In a concerning development, another individual, Mark Belli, a plumber, claimed that Williams had attempted to assault and threaten him on the same day of the arrest. Belli stated that Williams tried to punch him and threatened to kill him near 260 11th Avenue, where Belli works. Although Belli's account could not be immediately confirmed, he alleged that Williams had been living in a cardboard box nearby and was angry because someone had taken it, possibly during a city sweep targeting homeless individuals. Belli captured a photo of Williams and called 911 to report the incident; he intends to file a report regarding the encounter.

As the case proceeds, authorities will continue to investigate the backgrounds of both the accused and the victims and gather further evidence regarding the assaults. The alarming incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by individuals living on the streets and highlights the need for support systems to address homelessness and related issues in society.