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Manhattan DA Downgrades Charges in Washington Square Snowball Case, Suspect Freed Under Supervision

Prosecutors said video and body-camera footage did not establish that the arrested man caused the officers’ injuries.

Overview

  • Gusmane Coulibaly, 27, was arrested Thursday in connection with viral footage of packed snow and ice thrown at NYPD officers in Washington Square Park.
  • After reviewing evidence, Manhattan prosecutors dropped the assault-on-an-officer count and reduced the case to misdemeanor obstruction and harassment, granting supervised release.
  • Two officers were treated at Northwell Greenwich Village Hospital for facial and head and neck injuries following the Feb. 23 incident during a large, social media–promoted gathering.
  • The NYPD says three additional suspects seen throwing snow or ice are still being sought, and investigators have released images to solicit tips.
  • The episode has widened a rift in city leadership, with Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch and PBA President Patrick Hendry calling the conduct criminal as Mayor Zohran Mamdani characterized it as a snowball fight that got out of hand.