Actor Michael Stuhlbarg Attacked By Homeless Man With Rock
Actor Michael Stuhlbarg has been seen in a viral video pursuing a homeless man who allegedly assaulted him with a rock near Central Park.
Surveillance footage obtained by The Post shows Stuhlbarg, known for his role in “Boardwalk Empire,” running in a bike lane shortly after the attacker, identified as Xavier Israel, sprinted past on the sidewalk. Israel can be seen wearing white pants, a cropped white top, and a large white hat that obscures most of his face.
Moments later, Stuhlbarg, dressed in all black, is seen running down the street.
The incident occurred as Stuhlbarg, 55, was walking near East 90th and East Drive on Sunday evening, just before 8 p.m. Israel allegedly struck him in the back of the neck with a rock, causing an abrasion. Israel, who is homeless, was on parole at the time for an attempted robbery.
According to police and sources, he had previously been arrested for two assaults and an attempted robbery in January 2022.
Interestingly, Stuhlbarg’s character in “Boardwalk Empire,” Arnold Rothstein, was fatally shot less than 2 miles away from where the attack took place. Following the pursuit, Israel was apprehended by police outside the Russian Consulate at 9 E. 91st St.
Israel was charged with assault by the police and was awaiting arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court on Monday. His criminal record includes multiple random assaults in Central Park. In 2022, surveillance camera footage captured the 27-year-old attacking and robbing a good Samaritan who had kindly given him his coat on a cold January morning.
Law enforcement sources reported that Israel pocketed nearly $1,500 from the victim before being apprehended. This incident marked the second time in a week that Israel had violently turned on someone offering assistance.
Before this, he had assaulted a 49-year-old woman who was trying to help him. Israel was arrested, charged with assault, and subsequently released on a desk appearance ticket, according to sources.
Israel allegedly assaulted two more victims — a man and a woman — on Jan. 2 inside Central Park, according to sources.
He is accused of randomly punching the 18-year-olds as they sat on a rock inside the green space.
He was also charged with assault in the Central Park incident.
