Why was Steve Buscemi attacked on streets of New York?

The easily recognizable Hollywood actor Steve Buscemi found himself at the center of a disturbing incident last week as he was assaulted on a New York City street. The 66-year-old star, known for his roles in ‘Fargo’, ‘Boardwalk Empire’ and, of course, ‘Reservoir Dogs’, was reportedly punched in the face by an unidentified assailant late Wednesday morning in Manhattan, Kips Bay neighborhood on the east side , to be precise. Although Buscemi sustained injuries including bruising, swelling, and bleeding to his left eye, his publicist assured the public that he is recovering and expressed gratitude for the outpouring of well wishes.

“Steve Buscemi was assaulted in Mid-Town Manhattan, another victim of a random act of violence in the city,” the publicist said in a statement to The New York Post who first reported this. “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 New York.”

The New York Police Department has launched an investigation into the assault on Buscemi, yet as of now, no arrests have been made. It remains unclear whether the attack was completely random or if the actor was targeted. The NYPD has released surveillance images of the alleged suspect in hopes of someone identifying him.

Other recent celebrity attacks

In the wake of this alarming incident, questions naturally arise regarding the motive behind the attack. With the assailant appearing to still be at large and no clear indication of the circumstances leading to the assault, speculation abounds. However, one thing remains evident: Buscemi’s ordeal underscores the broader issue of random acts of violence plaguing urban environments like New York City.

This assault on Buscemi is not an isolated incident within the realm of celebrity encounters with violence in the city. There was the assault on Buscemi’s ‘Boardwalk Empire’ co-star, Michael Stuhlbarg, who was struck in the back of the neck with a rock while walking in Manhattan’s Central Park late March. Stuhlbarg’s swift action led to the apprehension of his attacker. Recent years have seen other notable figures such as comic actor Rick Moranis and reality star Bethenny Frankel falling victim to similar acts of aggression.