Los Angeles

Hollywood actor Steve Buscemi got punched in the face by a stranger as he was walking in midtown Manhattan. His publicist confirmed the news and called it another "random act of violence in the city". The incident happened around 11:50 am on May 8 around the Kips Bay neighbourhood. 

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The 66-year-old New York native suffered a swollen left eye and face after the random and unprovoked attack. He was taken to Bellevue Hospital for a checkup and he is okay now. According to reports, he was treated for bruising, swelling, and bleeding to his left eye.

Speaking to People, his publicist revealed that the actor is extremely sad for everyone who has randomly been getting attacked in NYC, highlighting the safety concerns of living in the city. 

"Steve Buscemi was assaulted in Mid-Town Manhattan, another victim of a random act of violence in the city," the actor's publicist said in a statement to People. "He is ok and appreciates everyone’s well wishes, though incredibly sad for everyone that this has happened to while also walking the streets of NY."

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Another actor from Boardwalk Empire was attacked in a similar random attack in Manhattan in March this year. He was struck in the head with a rock by a homeless man, later identified as 27-year-old Xavier Israel, while walking near Central Park. 

These aren't just two cases coming out of NYC about random attacks on streets. Several victims, mostly women, have detailed broadly similar attacks in posts on TikTok and Instagram. Reports of the first incidents began appearing on social media on March 17.

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Back in March, Bethenny Frankel, former star of The Real Housewives of New York City, opened up about getting attacked in the NYC streets by a stranger. The 53-year-old reality star shared her story in response to a TikTok video posted by a fashion student who claimed she was punched in the face by a random man while walking home. Frankel commented on the video, revealing that she had a similar experience a few months ago on the Upper West Side but was hesitant to speak about it. Read the full story here.