Second Suspect Apprehended Following NYC Snowball Fight Incident Resulting in Hospitalization of Two Police Officers

On Wednesday, authorities made a second arrest related to last week’s unruly snowball fight in Washington Square Park, which resulted in injuries to several police officers after being hit by snowballs, according to reports from the police.

The New York Police Department (NYPD) announced that 18-year-old Eric Wilson Jr. has been charged with misdemeanor obstructing government administration and harassment. As reported by Fox 5 New York, Wilson voluntarily surrendered to the authorities on Wednesday morning, as detailed by the New York Post.

“This second arrest is a crucial statement,” said Hendry, president of the Police Benevolent Association (PBA). “The attacks on our officers last week were not to be taken lightly. This was not just fun and games; the ramifications extended beyond the snow’s thaw. What occurred was a deliberate assault on our law enforcement, and it has significant repercussions.”

The snowball fight originated last Monday as a planned event circulated on social media. When NYPD officers attempted to manage the crowd, they were allegedly bombarded with snowballs containing rocks. As a result, two officers required hospital treatment for injuries to their heads and faces, according to the PBA.

Gusmane Coulibaly was previously arrested as the first suspect linked to the snowball fight incident in New York City. (Credit: X/@@NYPDnews/@BGOnTheScene)

Following the incident, authorities released images of four individuals and made their first arrest three days later. 

Gusmane Coulibaly, 27, was the first suspect taken into custody and was initially charged with felony assault on a police officer.

However, prosecutors declined to pursue a felony assault charge, saying there was no proof the officers’ injuries were directly caused by Coulibaly, Fox 5 reported. His charges were reduced to misdemeanor obstruction of government administration and harassment, the outlet said. 

NYPD added that Coulibaly was arrested less than three weeks before the incident for an attempted robbery in the transit system.

Snow was hurled at NYPD officers during a blizzard in New York City. (@BGonthescene/X)

Hendry claimed that the snowballs thrown contained ice and rocks, resulting in injuries to multiple officers.

“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,” Hendry previously said in a statement.  

In a post on social media, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch added the participants involved should be punished for their “disgraceful” and “criminal” actions. 

“I want to be very clear,” Tisch said. “The behavior depicted is disgraceful, and it is criminal. Our detectives are investigating this matter.”  

NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani has said that the incident in which NYPD officers were pelted with snow and ice was a snowball fight that “got out of hand.” (NYPD; Yuki Iwamura/AP Photo)

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said that while police officers should be treated with respect, the individuals involved should not face charges.

“As the mayor has said, police officers deserve to be treated with respect,” his spokesperson said. “The videos he saw showed a snowball fight that got out of hand. He does not believe this situation rises to the level of criminal charges.”

On the other hand, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul struck a firmer tone, saying criminal charges appear to be appropriate. 

“Our police officers put themselves in harm’s way every single day, and there is no circumstance where it’s OK to throw anything at a police officer,” Hochul said, according to Fox 5. 

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