Snowball Fight Incident Sparks Tension Between NYC Mayor and NYPD

Mayor Zohran Mamdani faces first test with police brass after downplaying confrontation

Feb. 26, 2026 at 11:33pm

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A man has been arrested after a viral incident between New Yorkers and NYPD officers during a blizzard in Manhattan's Washington Square Park. The incident has snowballed into Mayor Zohran Mamdani's first test with the police brass, as the mayor appeared to downplay the severity of the confrontation. The NYPD said people playing in the snow were 'attacking' officers with snowballs, but Mamdani described it as a 'snowball fight that got out of hand'.

Why it matters

The incident highlights the ongoing tension between Mayor Mamdani and the NYPD, as the progressive mayor tries to balance his criticism of the police with maintaining support from the department. The confrontation could become a defining moment in Mamdani's relationship with the police union and his ability to keep the city safe while pursuing his reform agenda.

The details

Police say the crowd in Washington Square Park began throwing snowballs at them and continued to pelt them and their vehicles with snowballs as they left the park. The NYPD said two officers were treated for minor injuries, including lacerations. Mamdani and the NYPD commissioner have condemned the behavior, but the mayor has repeatedly described it as a 'snowball fight that got out of hand' rather than an 'attack' on officers.

  • The incident took place on Monday, February 23, 2026 in Washington Square Park.
  • Gusmane Coulibaly, 27, was arrested on Thursday, February 26, 2026 for 'assaulting' police officers during the incident.

The players

Zohran Mamdani

The mayor of New York City who is facing his first test with the police brass after appearing to downplay the severity of the snowball incident.

Jessica Tisch

The New York City Police Commissioner who said the behavior depicted in the videos of the incident was 'disgraceful' and 'criminal'.

Gusmane Coulibaly

A 27-year-old man who was arrested for 'assaulting' police officers during the snowball incident in Washington Square Park.

Patrick Hendry

The president of the Police Benevolent Association, the union representing NYPD officers, who accused the mayor of downplaying the severity of the incident.

Rahul Nag

A parkgoer who said the snowball fight started off as harmless fun but escalated when several young people began tossing snow from the roof of the park's restrooms.

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What they’re saying

“This was disgraceful. It wasn't a joke. It wasn't a game. It was a vicious attack.”

— Patrick Hendry, President of the Police Benevolent Association (X)

“I've seen the videos of this snowball fight. I think that it was a snowball fight.”

— Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York City (News Conference)

“It wasn't supposed to be violent. It started out as a very fun thing to do, and then, you know, it just escalated, and there weren't any older kids or older people out here.”

— Rahul Nag, Parkgoer (WABC 7)

What’s next

The judge in Gusmane Coulibaly's case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow him out on bail.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between Mayor Mamdani and the NYPD, as the progressive mayor tries to balance his reform agenda with maintaining support from the police department. The mayor's response will be closely watched as he navigates this delicate political landscape.