NYC Police Arrest Man After Snowball Fight Incident

Officers were pelted with snow and ice during a chaotic scene in Washington Square Park.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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A 27-year-old man was arrested by the New York Police Department after officers were injured when they were pelted with snow and ice during a large snowball fight in Washington Square Park earlier this week. The incident caused a chaotic scene as a large crowd gathered to throw snowballs, with video showing officers being bombarded and shoving at least two people to the ground.

Why it matters

The snowball fight highlights tensions between police and the public, with the NYPD calling the incident "disgraceful" and "criminal" while the city's mayor downplayed it as a situation that "got out of hand." The arrest raises questions about the appropriate response to such public gatherings and whether criminal charges were warranted.

The details

According to the NYPD, officers arrived at Washington Square Park after a 911 call about a disorderly group. Video shows the officers being pelted with snowballs from all directions by the rowdy crowd. The department said multiple officers were hit in the face, and two were treated at a hospital for injuries to their face, head, and neck.

  • The incident occurred on Monday during a winter storm.
  • The 27-year-old man was arrested on Thursday following the snowball fight.

The players

New York Police Department

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

Zohran Mamdani

The Democratic mayor of New York City, who played down the incident as a "snowball fight that got out of hand."

Jessica Tisch

The New York 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 incident highlights the ongoing tensions between police and the public, with differing views on whether the snowball fight warranted a criminal response. It raises questions about the appropriate way for authorities to handle large public gatherings and the balance between public safety and individual rights.