New York police are hunting multiple suspects accused of hurling snow and ice at officers in Washington Square Park.
The brazen attack that left two cops hospitalized, but the city’s mayor dismissed it as a “snowball fight” that was led by “kids.”
The New York City Police Department released images of several men allegedly involved in Monday’s confrontation in Lower Manhattan.
Authorities say the chaos erupted around 4 p.m. when uniformed officers responded to reports of a disorderly crowd and people climbing onto a roof inside the park.
Instead of dispersing, police say the group turned on them. According to the NYPD, two men “intentionally struck the police officers multiple times with snow and ice in the head, neck and face, causing injuries.”
Emergency medical personnel transported both officers to Northwell Greenwich Village Hospital, where they were treated and listed in stable condition.
The suspects fled the area. The department confirmed the men are wanted for assault on a police officer, which is a felony in New York.
Wanted for ASSAULT ON A POLICE OFFICER: On 2/23/26 at approximately 4:20 PM, two uniformed police officers were inside Washington Square Park when two individuals intentionally struck the officers multiple times with snow and ice causing injury to their head, neck, and face.… pic.twitter.com/uTvF3fKCyI
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) February 24, 2026
Video captured by journalist Brendan Gutenschwager shows a large crowd shouting and pelting officers as they attempted to move through snow- and ice-covered walkways.
The footage records snowballs flying from multiple directions while officers try to push through the mass of people.
Some individuals can be heard yelling profanities, including “f*** you, b***h,” as officers navigate the crowd.
At one point, a snowball appears pressed directly against an officer’s neck.
By the end of the confrontation, one officer walks into frame with a visibly swollen and reddened left eye.
Police later described the suspects as approximately 18 to 20 years old. One man is described as having a light complexion and was last seen wearing a black jacket, black ski mask and black sweatpants with white stripes.
The second is described as having a dark complexion and was last seen wearing a green jacket over a blue sweatshirt and blue gloves, along with partial facial hair.
The incident quickly sparked political fallout. During a Tuesday news conference, Mayor Zohran Mamdani described what he saw differently than law enforcement.
“I’ve seen the videos of the snowball fight, I think that it was a snowball fight,” Mamdani said when asked about possible prosecution.
He acknowledged that two officers suffered injuries. “I think that there were two officers who were facing lacerations on their face,” Mamdani stated.
Zohran Mamdani says NO charges have been filed against the individuals who injured multiple NYPD officers because he thinks it was just "a snowball fight."
UNREALpic.twitter.com/6gEVRLrLj1
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) February 24, 2026
On social media, the mayor urged residents to show respect to city workers but stopped short of condemning the alleged assault.
“I’ve seen the videos of kids throwing snowballs at NYPD officers in Washington Square Park. Officers, like all city workers, have been out in a historic blizzard, keeping New Yorkers safe and cars moving. Treat them with respect,” he wrote.
Police unions pushed back. Sergeants Benevolent Association President Vincent Vallelong told Fox News Digital that many of the suspects are “believed to be NYU students.”
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch labeled the attack “disgraceful” and “criminal” and confirmed detectives are actively investigating.
The Police Benevolent Association of the City of New York issued a statement calling the incident “unacceptable and outrageous.”
“This is the environment that NYC police officers are up against. Our police officers are being treated for their injuries, but the case CANNOT end there,” the PBA wrote.
“The individuals involved must be identified, arrested, and charged with assault on a police officer. And all of our city leaders must speak up to condemn this despicable attack.”
PBA President Patrick Hendry accused the mayor of minimizing the violence.
“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.
He warned that dismissing the event sends a troubling message. “By ignoring their injuries and dismissing the incident, the mayor has sent a disgraceful message to every police officer who serves this city,” Hendry added.
Hendry also cautioned that such rhetoric could embolden others.
This is disgraceful.
But with a mayor who has a history of calling the police “racist, evil, wicked and corrupt,” he set the tone.
Words have consequences. We are seeing that in the growing disrespect for law enforcement — just as we’ve seen it in the rise in antisemitism.… https://t.co/jCGZiK46kI
— Andrew Cuomo (@andrewcuomo) February 24, 2026
Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who previously ran for mayor, weighed in on social media.
“Words have consequences,” Cuomo wrote. “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.”
Scott Munro, president of the NYPD Detectives’ Endowment Association, urged city leadership and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg to ensure charges move forward.
“The [DEA] is calling on Mayor Mamdani and District Attorney Bragg to ensure every individual responsible for this illegal behavior is prosecuted,” Munro said. “No free pass. No get out of jail free card.”
Munro pledged that investigators would continue pursuing those involved.
“Make no mistake: Detectives will do what they always do. They will identify those involved, and they will apprehend them,” he said. “Our men and women in blue deserve to be safe. They deserve to be protected. And they deserve to be respected. They earn it every single day.”
