Photo: JASON ALPERT-WISNIA / AFP / Getty Images
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is standing by his position that the snowball attack on NYPD officers at Washington Square Park was not criminal, even as his own police commissioner and law enforcement unions push back hard.
The incident happened Monday, when a large snowball fight broke out in the park following a historic blizzard that dumped nearly 20 inches of snow on the city. Two uniformed officers responding to reports of a disorderly crowd were struck multiple times in the head, neck, and face with snow and ice. Both were taken by EMS to Northwell Greenwich Village Hospital in stable condition.
According to the Associated Press, Mamdani doubled down on his view Wednesday, telling reporters, "Having seen these videos, to me it was a snowball fight that got out of hand and it should be treated accordingly." He added that he does not believe anyone involved should face criminal charges.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch sees it differently. As reported by The Hill, Tisch wrote on X that the behavior shown in videos was "disgraceful, and it is criminal," and confirmed that detectives are actively investigating. The NYPD has since released photos of four individuals it wants to identify in connection with the attack.
According to Fox News Digital, the two officers were responding to a call about a disorderly group when the men "intentionally struck the police officers multiple times with snow and ice in the head, neck and face, causing injuries." The NYPD identified the suspects as roughly 18 to 20 years old — a point that directly contradicts Mamdani's characterization of them as "kids."
Patrick Hendry, president of the Police Benevolent Association, the largest union representing NYPD officers, sharply criticized the mayor's response. "The mayor's response is a complete failure of leadership. This was not just a 'snowball fight.' This was an assault — by adults throwing chunks of ice and rocks that landed two police officers in the hospital with head and face injuries," Hendry said in a statement Tuesday (February 24).
Hendry went further, warning that Mamdani's dismissal of the incident sends a dangerous message. "By ignoring their injuries and dismissing the incident, the mayor has sent a disgraceful message to every police officer who serves this city, and a dangerous message to every person who might be looking to attack a police officer in the future," he said.
Sergeants Benevolent Association President Vincent Vallelong echoed that concern, writing that those involved "cross[ed] a clear line." "Today it is snowballs. Tomorrow it could be rocks, bottles, or worse," Vallelong wrote.
Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who also ran for New York City mayor last year, weighed in on social media. "Words have consequences," Cuomo wrote, adding that Mamdani "has a history of calling the police 'racist, evil, wicked and corrupt'" and had "set the tone." He called on the mayor to "denounce this at once."
Despite the public dispute, Mamdani said Wednesday that he has been in contact with Tisch and that he appreciates the work she is doing. He sidestepped questions about their conflicting views on the incident.
The two men seen directly assaulting officers are wanted on felony assault charges. No arrests had been made as of Tuesday afternoon, and the NYPD continues to ask the public for help identifying the suspects.
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