NYC Police Arrest Man After Officers Pelted During Snowball Fight

The arrest comes days after videos of the chaotic scene went viral online.

Feb. 26, 2026 at 5:19pm

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A 27-year-old man was arrested by the New York Police Department on Thursday after officers were injured when they were pelted with snow and ice during a large, organized snowball fight in Washington Square Park earlier this week. The department said multiple officers were hit in the face with snowballs, and two were treated at a nearby hospital for face, head, and neck injuries.

Why it matters

The incident highlights tensions between the NYPD and the public, as well as questions around when playful behavior crosses the line into criminal activity. The snowball fight went viral online, sparking a debate around appropriate use of force by police and whether criminal charges were warranted.

The details

According to the NYPD, officers arrived at the park after a 911 call about a disorderly group. A video shows officers being bombarded by snowballs from a rowdy crowd, with the officers shoving at least two people to the ground. The department has since released images of four people it said it was searching for, and the police commissioner called the incident "disgraceful" and "criminal."

  • The snowball fight occurred on Monday during a winter storm.
  • The man was arrested on Thursday, several days after the incident.

The players

New York Police Department

The law enforcement agency that responded to the snowball fight and made the arrest.

27-year-old man

The individual arrested by the NYPD for allegedly assaulting officers during the snowball fight.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani

The Democratic mayor of New York City who played down the incident as a "snowball fight that got out of hand" and suggested he did not think criminal charges were warranted.

Jessica Tisch

The New York City Police Commissioner who called the snowball fight "disgraceful" and "criminal."

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the 27-year-old man out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between the public and police, as well as the challenges of balancing public safety with the right to engage in playful behavior. It raises questions about when such incidents cross the line into criminal activity and the appropriate response from law enforcement.