The New York City Police Department (NYPD) has released images in an effort to identify several men suspected of assaulting officers by throwing snow at them in Washington Square Park, Lower Manhattan. This incident occurred on Monday, just hours after Mayor Zohran Mamdani suggested the perpetrators were merely “kids” and should not face criminal charges.
The two officers, who were in uniform, had responded to reports of a large and unruly gathering at the park when they were allegedly struck multiple times by two men with snow and ice. The blows targeted their heads, necks, and faces, resulting in injuries, as reported by the NYPD.
The injured officers were transported by emergency medical services to Northwell Greenwich Village Hospital, where they were reported to be in stable condition. Meanwhile, the men involved in the incident fled the scene and remain unidentified.
The NYPD has classified the incident as an assault on a police officer, which is considered a felony in New York City. They are actively seeking to apprehend the suspects.
During a press briefing on Tuesday afternoon, Mayor Mamdani described the event as resembling “kids at a snowball fight,” despite a police-shared image that depicted a man with facial hair holding a large snow boulder.
During a news conference Tuesday afternoon, Mamdani claimed the incident “looked like kids at a snowball fight,” though a photo shared by police showed a man with facial hair holding a massive snow boulder.
NYPD officials later said the men were roughly 18 to 20 years old.
Sergeants Benevolent Association (SBA) President Vincent Vallelong told Fox News Digital “many” of the suspects are “believed to be NYU students.”
However, New York University spokesperson Joseph Tirella told Fox News Digital the university has found no indication anyone from NYU was involved.
“We have enormous appreciation for the NYPD officers who keep our community safe,” Tirella said. “Assaulting police officers is a serious offense.”
Police released a photo of an assault suspect holding a snow or ice ball, wearing a ski mask. (NYPD)
The first man was described as having a “light complexion” and was last seen wearing a black jacket, black ski mask and black sweatpants with white stripes, according to authorities.
The second man was described as having a “dark complexion” and was last seen wearing a green jacket, with a blue sweatshirt underneath and blue gloves with partial facial hair.
Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who also ran for New York City mayor last year, said Mamdani, “who has a history of calling the police ‘racist, evil, wicked and corrupt’” had “set the tone.”
“Words have consequences,” Cuomo wrote on social media. “We are seeing that in the growing disrespect for law enforcement — just as we’ve seen it in the rise in antisemitism. Real leaders understand that. This mayor does not. @NYCMayor must denounce this at once.”
NYPD officers were targeted with snow during Monday’s blizzard in New York City. (@BGonthescene/X)
Vallelong added those who tossed snow and ice at officers “cross[ed] a clear line.”
“[Officers] are tasked with maintaining public safety in crowded public spaces, often while facing hostility simply for wearing the uniform,” Vallelong wrote. “When individuals choose to turn a park into a launching ground for attacks on police, they cross a clear line. Today it is snowballs. Tomorrow it could be rocks, bottles, or worse.”
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the attack as “disgraceful” and “criminal,” noting detectives are investigating.
No arrests had been made in the snowball attacks as of Tuesday afternoon, according to officials.
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