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Assault Charge Dropped in Washington Square Snowball Case After NYPD Arrest

Prosecutors said video evidence did not link the defendant to the officers’ injuries, prompting reduced counts with supervised release.

Overview

  • The Manhattan district attorney reduced the case against 27-year-old Gusmane Coulibaly to misdemeanor obstruction and a harassment violation following his Thursday arrest.
  • Two NYPD officers were treated at Northwell Greenwich Village Hospital for injuries to the face, head and neck after being struck with packed snow and ice.
  • Investigators said they reviewed body-worn camera and social-media footage but could not prove Coulibaly caused the officers’ injuries.
  • Police are still seeking three other individuals shown in images throwing at officers during the large, social-media-promoted gathering in Washington Square Park.
  • City leaders remain split, with Mayor Zohran Mamdani calling it a snowball fight that got out of hand while Commissioner Jessica Tisch and the police union describe the conduct as criminal.