The New York City Police Department (NYPD) has arrested a suspect in connection with an incident in Washington Square Park where officers were attacked with snowballs. On Thursday (February 26), police took Gusmane Coulibaly, 27, into custody. He is accused of assaulting officers during a snowball fight that took place on Monday (February 23), following a major snowstorm.
The incident has sparked a debate between city officials and police leaders. Mayor Zohran Mamdani referred to the event as a “snowball fight” and suggested that those involved should not face charges. “From the videos that I’ve seen, it looked like kids at a snowball fight,” Mamdani said during a news conference. However, police officials and union leaders have strongly disagreed, labeling the actions as criminal.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the behavior as “disgraceful” and emphasized that the officers sustained injuries to their head, neck, and face. The officers were hospitalized and are in stable condition. The NYPD is still searching for three other suspects involved in the incident, who are believed to be around 18 to 20 years old.
Coulibaly, who has a recent arrest record for attempted robbery, faces charges related to the snowball attack. The arrest has reignited discussions about the relationship between city officials and law enforcement. Police Benevolent Association president Patrick Hendry criticized the mayor’s response, stating, “This was not just a ‘snowball fight.’ This was an assault.”
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