Man Arrested After Snowball Fight Injured Cops In Washington Square Park: NYPD

NEW YORK CITY — The NYPD has arrested one of the suspects wanted for pelting police officers with snowballs in Washington Square Park.

Gusmane Coulibaly, 27, was arrested on Thursday. Charges against him are still pending.

The 27-year-old was previously arrested for an attempted robbery in the transit system less than three weeks ago, according to police.

Coulibaly is one of four suspects being sought in connection with the Feb. 23 incident. Police released images of the suspects on Tuesday.

“A 27-year-old with a recent attempted robbery arrest is not a ‘kid.’ This arrest sends a clear message that assaults on police officers cannot and will not be minimized or tolerated. We thank all the NYPD members who have worked so hard on this case, and all the New Yorkers who have spoken up in support of our police officers. There is more work to be done to hold accountable all who participated in this shameful attack," PBA President Patrick Hendry said in a statement.

Officers had arrived at about 4 p.m. on Monday after a 911 caller reported a disorderly group gathering near the park’s fountain. A snowball fight, promoted online hours earlier, had drawn hundreds into the park. Laughter and shouts echoed across the plaza as snow arced through the air.

Video recorded by bystanders shows the mood shift when uniformed officers moved into the center of the crowd. Several people turned and hurled snowballs at close range. Two officers absorbed hard-packed throws to the face and chest. One officer lunged forward and shoved a man to the ground. Another officer chased a man several steps and flung him onto the snow-covered pavement.

Two officers were treated for facial cuts at a local hospital after the incident. Three suspects remain at large.