Man charged with randomly punching Steve Buscemi held on $50,000 bail

NEW YORK (TND) — Clifton Williams, the 50-year-old man charged with assaulting actor Steve Buscemi, is currently being held in a New York City jail on bond, prosecutors said Sunday.

Williams, who is experiencing homelessness, was identified by authorities as the alleged attacker Wednesday before being arrested by police on Friday.

The accused man was arraigned on Saturday and the judge set bail at $50,000. It was unclear if the defendant had a lawyer who could speak for him. The suspect is due back in court on Thursday.

The news of Buscemi's assault broke last Sunday after the New York Post reported the 66-year-old, known for his role in "Boardwalk Empire" and collaborations with the Coen Brothers and Adam Sandler, was randomly assaulted on Wednesday, May 8 while walking through the Kips Bay neighborhood of Manhattan's east side.

Buscemi's publicist confirmed to the media last week that the actor was attacked but he was OK after the assault. A public information officer with the New York Police Department said officers found him with bruising, swelling and bleeding to his left eye but he was stable when taken to the hospital that day.

Buscemi's “Boardwalk Empire” co-star Michael Stuhlbarg was hit in the back of the neck with a rock while walking in Manhattan's Central Park on March 31. Stuhlbarg chased his attacker, who was taken into custody outside the park.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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