Police arrested a 27-year-old man Thursday for allegedly throwing snow and ice blocks at two officers during a bowling alley in Washington Square Park earlier this week, an incident that has sparked a political debate in the city.
The accused, Gusmane Coulibaly, was taken into custody on Thursday morning and charged with assault, police said. Authorities are still searching for three other suspects, including two people between the ages of 18 and 20 who are also wanted in connection with the attack.
A viral video shows a confrontation during a snowstorm
The arrest came three days after an episode that sharply divided public opinion and sparked a rift between New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
Videos circulating online show two uniformed officers walking down a path in the park on Monday as snowballs are thrown at them from different directions. The footage shows how police officers are repeatedly hit and covered in snow.
As the situation escalated, officers — looking increasingly frustrated — tackled at least two individuals to the ground as the snowballs continued. At one point, a person approaches from behind and presses snow on the policeman’s head. Towards the end of the clip, one officer can be seen rubbing his eye.
The police commissioner described the act as “criminal”
After the videos surfaced, Commissioner Tisch described the behavior as “disgraceful” and “criminal.”
Several political leaders condemned the incident, with Mayor Mamdani’s critics saying the episode reflected declining respect for law enforcement. During his election campaign, Mamdani faced criticism for remarks he made about the police department in 2020, though he has since moderated those remarks.
The mayor’s reaction provokes mixed reactions
In a post on X on Tuesday, Mamdani wrote, “Officers, like all city employees, were out in a historic blizzard, keeping New Yorkers safe and cars moving. Treat them with respect. If anyone is catching a snowball, it’s me.”
However, at a later press conference, the mayor appeared to downplay the seriousness of the episode when asked if the criminal charge was warranted.
“From the videos I’ve seen, it looks like a snowball,” he said.
Police unionists criticize the mayor’s statements
Patrick Hendry, president of the city’s largest police union, slammed the mayor’s response, calling it a “complete failure of leadership.”
“This was not just a ‘snowball.’ This was an attack,” Hendry said in a statement, adding, “By ignoring their injuries and dismissing the incident, the mayor has sent a shameful message to every law enforcement officer who serves this city.”
