NYC Police Arrest Social Media Creator After Snowball Fight Incident

Gusmane Coulibaly charged with obstructing government administration and harassment following clash with officers in Washington Square Park

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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New York City police have arrested a 27-year-old social media content creator, Gusmane Coulibaly, after he was allegedly involved in a group that pelted officers with snow and ice during a large snowball fight in Washington Square Park earlier this week. Coulibaly was charged with obstructing governmental administration and harassment, though prosecutors did not pursue a felony assault charge due to lack of evidence directly linking his actions to the officers' injuries.

Why it matters

The incident highlights ongoing tensions between the NYPD and the city's leadership, with the police union criticizing the mayor's response and prosecutors as being too lenient. It also raises questions about the appropriate response to large, chaotic public gatherings that turn confrontational with law enforcement.

The details

According to authorities, a large group of people, seemingly organized through social media, gathered in Washington Square Park on Monday during a winter storm to participate in a massive snowball fight. When police arrived in response to a 911 call about a disorderly group, including people climbing on a roof, the crowd began pelting the officers with snow and ice. Video footage shows officers being struck in the face, head and neck, with at least two requiring hospital treatment. Police initially arrested Coulibaly on a felony assault charge, but prosecutors later downgraded the charges to misdemeanor obstruction and harassment, citing a lack of direct evidence linking Coulibaly's actions to the officers' injuries.

  • The incident occurred on Monday, February 24, 2026 during a winter storm in New York City.
  • Coulibaly was arraigned on Thursday, February 27, 2026 and released pending his next court date on April 9, 2026.

The players

Gusmane Coulibaly

A 27-year-old social media content creator who was arrested and charged in connection with the snowball fight incident.

George Vomvolakis

Coulibaly's attorney, who suggested the police were using the incident to pick a fight with the mayor.

Patrick Hendry

The president of the police union, who pushed back on the characterization of the incident as a "playful snowball fight" and called it an "attack on the uniform" worn by the officers.

Victoria Notaro

The assistant district attorney who said prosecutors could not prove Coulibaly's snowball directly caused the officers' injuries.

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 criminal charges were unwarranted.

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What they’re saying

“The notion that this was a playful snowball fight obviously is not true. This was an attack on the uniform that these police officers wear so proudly every day. They came after these police officers, pelting them with ice, rocks.”

— Patrick Hendry, Police Union President (tribtoday.com)

“I don't want to minimize what happened to the officers, but I think the police department is using this because of their dislike or disdain for the mayor. I think they're taking it out on Mr. Coulibaly. They want to pick a fight with the mayor.”

— George Vomvolakis, Coulibaly's Attorney (tribtoday.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on April 9, 2026 whether to allow Gusmane Coulibaly to remain free pending his trial.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between the NYPD and City Hall, with the police union accusing the mayor of being too lenient, while the mayor views the charges as an overreaction to a snowball fight that got out of hand. The case will likely continue to be a flashpoint in the debate over appropriate police response to large public gatherings.