(New York, New York) – New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani says no criminal charges will be filed following the controversial snowball incident involving NYPD officers in Washington Square Park, describing the clash as simply “a snowball fight.”
The decision comes after officers responding to a 911 call were pelted with snowballs during a chaotic winter scene that quickly went viral online. Police unions condemned the behavior as an assault on uniformed officers, arguing that objects were deliberately thrown at members of the NYPD while they were performing their duties.
But Mamdani struck a different tone.
“It was a snowball fight,” the mayor said, downplaying calls for arrests or prosecutions.
Police Union Outrage
The Sergeants Benevolent Association blasted the decision, warning that failing to pursue charges sends a dangerous message.
Union leadership previously argued that targeting officers — even with snowballs — crosses a clear legal line and could embolden more serious attacks in the future.
“Today it’s snowballs. Tomorrow it could be rocks, bottles, or worse,” SBA President Vincent Vallelong said in a statement.
A Divided City
The incident has fueled debate across the city. Supporters of the mayor argue that criminalizing what they describe as spontaneous winter behavior would be excessive and inflame tensions unnecessarily.
Critics, including many within law enforcement, say the mayor’s response minimizes what they view as a deliberate act against officers in uniform.
The NYPD has not publicly detailed whether any internal investigations are ongoing. It remains unclear whether any individuals were briefly detained during the incident.
