June 4, 2024

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. today announced the indictment of CLIFTON WILLIAMS, 50, for punching two strangers on a sidewalk within a ten-minute span on May 8, 2024. WILLIAMS is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with one count of Assault in the Second Degree and two counts of Assault in the Third Degree. [1] 

“Clifton Williams allegedly assaulted two men who were walking on Third Avenue within the span of ten-minutes. No person should fear for their safety when walking through Manhattan and those who threaten or harm pedestrians will be held accountable,” said District Attorney Bragg. “I hope the victims continue to heal from these unprovoked attacks.”

According to court documents and statements made on the record in court, on May 8, 2024, at approximately 11:30 a.m., on East 15th Street and Third Avenue in Gramercy, a 22-year-old man was walking on the sidewalk when WILLIAMS allegedly punched him in the face, causing his face to bruise and swell. 

A few minutes later, at approximately 11:39 a.m., on East 27th Street and Third Avenue in Kips Bay, a 66-year-old man was standing on the sidewalk looking at his phone when WILLIAMS punched him in the face, causing him to fall to the ground. The victim’s eye was bleeding, swollen, and bruised. 

Assistant D.A. Elizabeth Barry (Trial Bureau 60) is handling the prosecution of this case under the supervision of Assistant D.A. Charles Whitt (Chief of Trial Bureau 60) and Executive D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). 

D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, specifically Detective Ravi Balgobin and Police Officer Sophia Campbell of the 13th Precinct Detective Squad. 

Defendant Information: 

CLIFTON WILLIAMS 

Charged:

Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony, one count Assault in the Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor, two counts 

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[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.