NYPD Makes Arrest In ‘Snowball Fight’ Attack On Officers Despite Mamdani’s Efforts To Downplay

The New York Police Department (NYPD) announced Thursday that an arrest had been made in connection with an attack on officers involving chunks of ice in Washington Square Park. The arrest comes despite attempts from newly-elected Mayor Zohan Mamdani’s attempts to downplay the incident as a “snowball fight.”

According to the NYPD, officers responded to 911 calls reporting a disorderly group in the park. The gathering had begun as a pre-planned snowball fight promoted on social media. Video footage from the scene shows individuals throwing snowballs and chunks of ice at officers as they attempted to leave the area and return to their vehicles.

The department stated that suspects intentionally struck multiple uniformed officers with snow and ice in the head, neck, and face, causing injuries. Two officers were treated at a hospital for minor injuries, including facial lacerations, and were reported in stable condition.

A gang of youths harass the NYPD and pelt them with snow.

If you look at the crowd you can tell that none of them were alive on 9/11.

They don’t know what the NYPD is willing to sacrifice for the citizens of New York.

Side note: You throw a snowball at police, they should be… pic.twitter.com/jYC33M81K3

— Amiri King (@AmiriKing) February 24, 2026

On Thursday, police announced the arrest of Gusmane Coulibaly, 27, in connection with the incident. He was taken into custody on Thursday morning and will be facing charges of assaulting an officer.

He is one of four individuals identified by the NYPD as having participated in striking the officers, according to a report from the New York Post.

Court records indicate Coulibaly had been arrested less than three weeks earlier on charges of attempted robbery in the transit system.

The NYPD Police Benevolent Association president praised the arrest and took a jab at Mamdani, who had previously attempted to downplay the incident as “kids” having fun after last week’s snow storm. “A 27-year-old is not a ‘kid,’ @NYCMayor,” the union posted on X.

“This individual is an adult with a recent attempted robbery arrest, and your message was that it’s OK for him to assault police officers for doing their job. This arrest sends a different message. We’re grateful to all who have worked so hard on this case. There is more work to be done.”

Gusmane Coulibaly, 27, has been arrested in connection with the incident

Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated on social media that the behavior depicted in videos was “disgraceful, and it is criminal.” The NYPD released images of four individuals sought for questioning in the days following the event and has continued to ask for public assistance in identifying the remaining suspects.

Three additional males, described as being approximately 18 to 20 years old, remain wanted in connection with the incident

Mamdani had previously addressed the incident during news conferences this past Tuesday and Wednesday. “From videos I’ve seen, it looks like a snowball fight,” he said, later adding that he did not believe charges should be brought.

“From the videos that I’ve seen, it looked like kids at a snowball fight,” the mayor added in a follow-up comment.

NYPD releases photos of snowball-wielding suspects with facial hair after Mamdani claims attackers were 'kids'.

To be fair, Democrats live in their parents basement and play video games for eternity so I guess our definition of kids is different pic.twitter.com/Ej45WF3DDw

— April Silverman (@CaliMAGABarbie) February 25, 2026

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