A violent snowball assault against NYPD officers in Washington Square Park has ignited backlash after New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani dismissed the incident as a “snowball fight.” Several officers suffered facial lacerations and required hospital treatment after being struck in the head while responding to a disorderly group.
According to the NYPD, officers answered a call about a large crowd when individuals began throwing snowballs directly at uniformed police. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch called the conduct “disgraceful” and “criminal,” confirming an active investigation.
Mamdani, however, told reporters the videos “looked like kids at a snowball fight” and said he does not believe suspects should face assault charges. No arrests have been made.
Police unions strongly rejected that characterization. The Sergeants Benevolent Association stated, “We cannot condemn strongly enough the recent disgraceful and dangerous attacks on NYPD Police Officers while responding to a 911 call in Washington Square Park.” SBA President Vincent Vallelong warned, “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.”
The Police Benevolent Association called the incident “unacceptable and outrageous,” adding that those responsible “must be identified, arrested and charged with assault on a police officer.” The Detectives’ Endowment Association declared, “What we saw in Washington Square Park today was not harmless fun — it was a deliberate, outrageous, and dangerous attack on uniformed police officers.”
Mamdani later posted that officers “have been out in a historic blizzard, keeping New Yorkers safe and cars moving. Treat them with respect.” Critics, including Rep. Nicole Malliotakis and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, urged the mayor to issue a stronger condemnation.
As detectives work to identify suspects, law enforcement leaders continue pressing city officials to treat the snowball assault with full seriousness under the law.
