City leaders debate arrests, charges in Washington Square Park snowball fight
Police say 27-year-old Gusmane Coulibaly, who lives in Highbridge, was arrested after videos showed people throwing snowballs at officers in Washington Square Park on Monday.
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A Bronx man who was arrested after a viral snowball fight involving NYPD officers is now at the center of a growing debate among city leaders and the overall community.
Police say 27-year-old Gusmane Coulibaly, who lives in Highbridge, was arrested after videos showed people throwing snowballs at officers in Washington Square Park on Monday. The NYPD initially charged him with assault on a police officer, obstruction and disorderly conduct, but the Manhattan District Attorney's Office dropped the felony assault charge. He now faces a misdemeanor obstruction charge and a violation-level harassment charge.
At a promotion ceremony on Friday, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch defended officers.
"I certainly will not tolerate any attacks on my cops. Period," she said.
Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry spoke outside Manhattan court after Coulibaly was arraigned. He argued the incident caused real injuries to officers and questioned why the higher charge was dropped.
"We're grateful that there were some charges, but we need to ask the question because the video is clear. Clear as day, actually. This individual threw a snowball packed with ice, blasted our police officers in the face. So why wasn't assault-two charged? Why was harassment charged?" Hendry asked.
Coulibaly's attorney downplayed the video, saying it looked more like a snowball fight that "went a little past jokes and fun." He did admit that it was disrespectful to the NYPD, but denied that his client's actions caused any serious harm.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani also brushed off questions about the downgraded charges, calling it "a snowball fight that got out of hand" during a press conference on Friday.
The PBA said the incident crossed a line, and anyone involved should be identified, arrested, and charged.
