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A New York City snowball fight gone wrong leaves Mayor Mamdani at odds with police

A New York City snowball fight gone wrong leaves Mayor Mamdani at odds with police

The NYPD arrested one of four people it says injured officers with snowballs, in behaviour the commissioner called "disgraceful".

February 26, 2026 at 02:25 PM Original source
8 agencies covered this story

Coverage by Political Leaning

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2 articles
Center
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Notable Quotes

"From the videos that I've seen, it looked like kids at a snowball fight."

— Zohran Mamdani , Politician

"The behaviour depicted is disgraceful, and it is criminal."

— Jessica Tisch , Executive

"The mayor's response is a complete failure of leadership."

— Patrick Hendry , Activist

"Today it is snowballs. Tomorrow it could be rocks, bottles, or worse."

— Vincent Vallelong , Activist

"it was a snowball fight that got out hand and it should be treated accordingly."

— Mamdani , Activist

"the circumstances surrounding his arrest have been politicized."

— George Vomvolakis , Other

"Officers, like all city workers, have been out in a historic blizzard, keeping New Yorkers safe and cars moving. Treat them with respect. If anyone’s catching a snowball, it’s me."

— Zohran Mamdani , Politician

"This was not just a ‘snowball fight.’ This was an assault."

— Patrick Hendry , Activist

"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."

— Zohran Mamdani , Politician

"This was not just a ‘snowball fight.’ This was an assault."

— Jessica Tisch , Executive

"I've said again and again of what I think it was."

— Zohran Mamdani , Politician

"Not to back up the men and women is really, really bad. It's as bad as you can get."

— Robert Boyce , Executive

"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."

— Zohran Mamdani , Politician

"This was not just a ‘snowball fight.’ This was an assault."

— Jessica Tisch , Executive

"I’ve seen videos of kids doing snowballs at members of the NYPD in Washington Square Park."

— Zohran Mamdani , Politician

"This was not just a ‘snowball fight.’ 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."

— Patrick Hendry , Activist

"You are now the leader of these officers, it’s time to show leadership not sarcasm."

— Vincent Vallelong , Activist

All Coverage

A New York City snowball fight gone wrong leaves Mayor Mamdani at odds with police
BBC Newsvia rss 4 quotes 4 persons

The NYPD arrested one of four people it says injured officers with snowballs, in behaviour the commissioner called "disgraceful".

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NYC police arrest man after officers were pelted during a snowball fight
Associated Pressvia ai 2 quotes 2 persons

A 27-year-old man was arrested after New York City police officers were injured during a large snowball fight in Washington Square Park. The NYPD charged him with assaulting a police officer, obstructing governmental administration, and disorderly conduct. Mayor Zohran Mamdani downplayed the incident, while Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch condemned it as 'disgraceful' and 'criminal'.

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New York City police investigating after officers were hit with snowballs during a snowball fight
Associated Pressvia ai 2 quotes 2 persons

New York City police are investigating an incident in Washington Square Park where uniformed officers were hit with snowballs during a large snowball fight. A video of the event shows two officers being pelted from multiple directions, visibly frustrated, with one having snow rubbed on his head. The NYPD reported that several officers were struck in the face and taken to a hospital in stable condition. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch condemned the act as 'disgraceful' and 'criminal', announcing an ongoing investigation. Authorities released images of suspects and requested public assistance in identifying them.

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NYPD snowball fight: Zohran Mamdani doubles down, says people who pelted officers should not be charged
ABC7 New Yorkvia ai 2 quotes 2 persons

Mayor Zohran Mamdani has stated that he does not believe the incident warrants criminal charges, even as the NYPD investigates it as an assault. Police said two officers suffered lacerations to the face. Detectives are seeking to identify four males in connection with the incident. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch has called the conduct criminal, drawing a contrast with the mayor’s assessment.

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CBS Newsvia ai

Mayor Zohran Mamdani has stated that he does not believe the incident warrants criminal charges, even as the NYPD investigates it as an assault. Police said two officers suffered lacerations to the face. Detectives are seeking to identify four males in connection with the incident. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch has called the conduct criminal, drawing a contrast with the mayor’s assessment.

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NYPD is on a 4-person manhunt after 'disgraceful' and 'criminal' assault that Mamdani calls 'snowball fight'
Fortunevia ai 2 quotes 2 persons

Mayor Zohran Mamdani has stated that he does not believe the incident warrants criminal charges, even as the NYPD investigates it as an assault. Police said two officers suffered lacerations to the face. Detectives are seeking to identify four males in connection with the incident. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch has called the conduct criminal, drawing a contrast with the mayor’s assessment.

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Mamdani refuses to call mob launching snowballs at cops a ‘criminal’ act, says it just ‘looks like a snowball fight’
Yahoo! Newsvia ai 3 quotes 3 persons

Mayor Zohran Mamdani has stated that he does not believe the incident warrants criminal charges, even as the NYPD investigates it as an assault. Police said two officers suffered lacerations to the face. Detectives are seeking to identify four males in connection with the incident. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch has called the conduct criminal, drawing a contrast with the mayor’s assessment.

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Mamdani's relationship with NYPD gets icy after officers were pelted in a snowball fight
Associated Pressvia ai 2 quotes 2 persons

A recent snowball fight in Washington Square Park has sparked tensions between New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the NYPD. The event, which followed a major snowstorm, escalated when several officers were hit by snow and ice, leading to injuries. While Mamdani downplayed the incident as a playful scuffle that shouldn’t result in criminal charges, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch and the NYPD called it an assault, describing the attacks as 'disgraceful' and 'criminal'. The Police Benevolent Association echoed these sentiments, claiming declining respect for law enforcement under Mamdani’s leadership.

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