Two More Suspects Identified in Washington Square Park Snowball Assault on NYPD Officers, Investigation Ongoing

SNOW BRAWL FALL OUT - Cops Seek 2 More Perps

Pols, Union Fuming - Mayor Jokes it Off

By Staff Reporter

Manhattan Voice

February 25, 2026

NEW YORK, NY  — The investigation into the snowball assault on two NYPD officers in Lower Manhattan is expanding, and police say two more suspects have now been identified in what officials are calling a targeted attack during a winter crowd incident in Manhattan.

According to the NYPD, detectives have released new photos of two additional men wanted in connection with the February 23, 2026 assault inside Washington Square Park — a case that has sparked political debate and intensified scrutiny over public safety enforcement in New York City parks.

Police sources say body-worn camera footage helped investigators identify four total suspects so far in what began as a rowdy winter gathering but allegedly escalated into violence.

The first suspect is described as a male with a dark complexion. He was last seen wearing a black jacket, black sweatpants, and black shoes. 

The second suspect is a  male with a dark complexion. He was last seen wearing a black ski mask, black jacket, black pants, and tan boots.

The incident happened at approximately 4:20 p.m. near 1 Washington Square North, within the confines of the NYPD 6th Precinct.

Police say two uniformed officers were intentionally struck multiple times in the head, neck, and face with snow and chunks of ice in, what investigators describe, as a violent snowball and ice throwing incident involving NYPD officers.

Officials allege the objects thrown were not soft snowballs, but hardened ice and debris during what is now being investigated as a serious assault on uniformed police officers in Manhattan.

Both officers were transported by EMS to Northwell Greenwich Village Hospital in stable condition following the Washington Square Park attack that sent two officers to the hospital.

The suspects fled on foot and initially evaded arrest.

The case quickly entered the political spotlight after Mayor Zohran Mamdani addressed the incident publicly, describing it as a “snowball fight that got out of hand” in Washington Square Park.

“I’ve said time and time again that, having seen these videos, to me, it was a snowball fight that got out of hand and it should be treated accordingly,” Mamdani said Wednesday.

The Mayor added that he would not support banning snowball fights in city parks and expressed appreciation for city workers, including NYPD officers, responding during the winter blizzard conditions across New York City.

The mayor’s comments drew a sharp response from the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association of the City of New York, which issued a statement disputing the characterization of the alleged assault involving chunks of ice and rocks thrown at officers.

“This was not just a snowball fight,” the union said. “This was an assault — by adults throwing chunks of ice and rocks — that landed two police officers in the hospital with head and face injuries.”

The union emphasized that officers suffered multiple impacts and required medical treatment, underscoring what it calls a growing pattern of attacks on law enforcement officers during public disturbances in New York City.

Law enforcement officials confirm detectives are actively reviewing additional video evidence and tips from the public as part of the active criminal investigation into the Washington Square Park officer assault. Further arrests are possible.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, on X @NYPDTips. 

All calls are confidential.