The New York Police Department on Thursday arrested a 27-year-old man in connection with the alleged assault of officers earlier this week in Manhattan’s Washington Square Park.
Gusmane Coulibaly, 27, was taken into custody Thursday morning, according to police.
Authorities said the charges stem from a Monday incident in which officers responding to reports of a disorderly group in the park were hit repeatedly with packed snow and ice. Police said the officers suffered injuries to the head, neck and face.
MAMDANI AGAIN DOWNPLAYS NYPD AMBUSH AS SNOWBALL FIGHT ‘THAT GOT OUT OF HAND’
The arrest comes after several days of debate over how the episode should be characterized. Mayor Zohran Mamdani has said video circulating online appeared to show a snowball fight that “got out of hand,” and he questioned whether those involved should face assault charges.
Police officials have taken a different view. The department previously circulated images of individuals they described as wanted in connection with an assault on a police officer.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the conduct captured on video was criminal and confirmed that detectives were investigating.
Leaders of the city’s police unions have also rebuked the mayor’s comments, arguing that throwing ice and compacted snow at responding officers constitutes an attack.
Court records show Coulibaly was arrested earlier this month in another incident on attempted robbery charges in the NYC transit system. He is due in Bronx Criminal Court to face those charges on March 16.
