NYPD Arrests Man in Washington Square Park Assault on Officers

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The New York City Police Department has arrested 27-year-old Gusmane Coulibaly in connection with a violent incident earlier this week in Washington Square Park where uniformed officers were struck with snow and ice. Coulibaly was taken into custody on Thursday and charged with assault after he allegedly hurled large amounts of snow and ice at police officers who were responding to a large crowd gathered in the park.

Why it matters

The incident sparked debate citywide after comments from local officials initially downplayed the violence as a 'snowball fight.' NYPD leaders and police unions pushed back, stating that the behavior clearly crossed the line into criminal conduct and that officers deserved accountability and support.

The details

Video and eyewitness accounts show officers attempting to break up the crowd when snowballs and chunks of hard-packed snow were hurled at them at close range. At least two officers were injured and taken to a hospital for treatment. Law enforcement sources also noted that Coulibaly had been arrested less than three weeks earlier for an attempted robbery in the city's transit system, raising concerns about repeat involvement in criminal activity.

• The incident occurred earlier this week following a heavy winter storm that covered the city.
• Coulibaly was arrested on Thursday morning.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and police say they are continuing to review video footage and interview witnesses to determine if there are additional people involved in the attack.