'Outnumbered' reacts to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani downplaying a snowball attack on NYPD officers, calling it a 'snowball fight by kids.'

The New York Police Department on Thursday arrested a 27-year-old man in connection with the alleged assault on officers earlier this week in Manhattan's Washington Square Park.

Gusmane Coulibaly, 27, was taken into custody Thursday morning, according to police. He was seen handcuffed and being escorted by police into a vehicle on Thursday morning. 

Coulibaly was charged with obstructing governmental administration and harassment. He has been placed on supervised release.

L-R: Suspect Gusmane Coulibaly; NYPD officers.  (Credit: X/@@NYPDnews/@BGOnTheScene)

Authorities said the charges stem from a Monday incident in which officers responding to reports of a disorderly group in the park were hit repeatedly with packed snow and ice. Police said the officers suffered injuries to the head, neck and face.

The arrest comes after several days of debate over how the episode should be characterized. Mayor Zohran Mamdani has said video circulating online appeared to show a snowball fight that "got out of hand," and he questioned whether those involved should face assault charges.

The Manhattan District Attorney's Office said Thursday they could not prove that an officer's injuries were directly caused by Coulibaly’s conduct, so they could not charge him with assaulting a police officer.

NFL REPORTER CRITICIZES MAMDANI'S DOWNPLAY OF SNOWBALL ATTACK ON NYPD OFFICERS

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

"After a review of all of the evidence that the DA’s office has been presented with to date, the People are unable to prove that [the officer] suffered any physical injury that was caused directly by this defendant’s conduct," the district attorney's office said in a criminal complaint summary.

Police officials have taken a different view. The department previously circulated images of individuals they described as wanted in connection with an assault on a police officer. 

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the conduct captured on video was criminal and confirmed that detectives were investigating.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks to reporters during a news conference in New York, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Leaders of the city’s police unions have also rebuked the mayor’s comments, arguing that throwing ice and compacted snow at responding officers is considered an attack.

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Court records show Coulibaly was arrested earlier this month on attempted robbery charges stemming from an incident on the NYC transit system. He is due in Bronx Criminal Court to face those charges on March 16.

Fox News Digital's Rachel Wolf contributed to this report.

Bradford Betz is a Fox News Digital breaking reporter covering crime, political issues, and much more. 

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