Washington Square Park Snowball Incident: NYPD vs. Mayor Clash

On Feb 23, 2026, a planned massive snowball fight in Washington Square Park (post-blizzard) turned chaotic. NYPD officers responded to reports (people on roofs), walked through, and got pelted with snowballs—some packed with ice/rocks. Videos show officers taunted, surrounded, hit in head/face/neck. At least two officers hospitalized with facial lacerations; no serious long-term injuries reported.

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch posted on X:

“Tonight, the behavior depicted is disgraceful and it is criminal. Our detectives are investigating this matter.”

NYPD released wanted images of two suspects for assault on police officer. Police unions (PBA, DEA) demand arrests/charges, calling it deliberate attack, not fun.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani responded on X: Praised officers for blizzard work, urged respect (“Treat them with respect. If anyone’s catching a snowball, it’s me”), but framed it as “kids throwing snowballs” in a fight—not pushing criminal charges. He declined to back prosecution, contrasting Tisch's stance.

Police union outrage: hypocrisy in disrespecting cops then expecting protection. Society's getting dumber angle echoes online reactions—some see it as harmless fun gone wrong, others as assault on officers doing their job.

Investigation ongoing; arrests possible via NYPD detectives. No mayor response yet on charges per reports. Cops deserve better than targeted pelting while responding.