Migrant Scuffle Suspects Flee NYC After Cop Attack: Report

NEW YORK CITY — Four men who were recently freed after attacking NYPD officers outside a Times Square migrant shelter fled the city by using fake names to purchase bus tickets to California, according to a New York Daily News report citing police sources.

The men are among seven asylum seekers connected to the Jan. 27 attack outside a migrant shelter in Candler Tower. Video of the scuffle released by the NYPD shows several men punching and kicking officers who were struggling to place another man into custody.

Police arrested five men — of which, at least two had resided in other migrant shelters — on gang assault charges by Tuesday, authorities said.

Two additional suspects were arrested Wednesday, according to police.

The video and subsequent release without bail of five men immediately drew outrage.

"If the people sworn to protect us aren't safe, then nobody is safe. And released without bail? After jumping a cop?! Insane. What message does that send?" Council Member Justin Brannan posted on X.

Now, four of those men are missing, police sources told the Daily News. According to the report, the men went to a Catholic church in the city, where they gave officials phony names and asked for help getting to California.

The Daily News reported that the men were given the tickets and left the city.

"Can they leave? Yes," a source told the Daily News on Thursday. “If they miss their next court date, then there will be a warrant."

Earlier this week, Mayor Eric Adams said the city welcomes migrants who want to be part of the American Dream.

"But those who are breaking our laws, we need to reexamine the laws that don't allow us to deport them because they're doing violent acts," he said during an interview with PIX11.

"We cannot create an atmosphere where you're going to bring violence in our city. But the overwhelming number of migrants and asylum seekers are waiting to have work authorization or their determination, and we need to be clear on that."