February 27, 2026 NEW YORK, NY The "innocent" winter wonderland of Washington Square Park just became the center of a political firestorm.

What Mayor Zohran Mamdani dismissed as "kids being kids" has officially turned into a felony investigation. On Thursday morning, the NYPD’s warrant squad tracked down 27-year-old Gusmane Coulibaly in the Highbridge section of the Bronx, cuffing him for a Monday afternoon melee that sent two uniformed officers to the hospital.

The "Snowball" That Sent Cops to the ER

It started at 4:20 p.m. on February 23. To the casual observer, it looked like a typical post-storm gathering. But according to investigators and crystal-clear camera footage, a group of men began targeting officers with more than just slush.

Chunks of ice and heavy snowballs were reportedly fired at point-blank range, striking two officers repeatedly in the head, neck, and face. Both were rushed by EMS to Northwell Greenwich Village Hospital. While they are in stable condition, the fallout from the "fight" is only just beginning.

The Mayor vs. The Commissioner: A City Divided

This isn't just a crime story—it’s a high-stakes power struggle.

• Mayor Mamdani’s Take: The 34-year-old Democratic Socialist mayor has doubled down on his relaxed stance. "I’ve said that what I saw was a snowball fight," Mamdani told reporters on Wednesday. "It should be treated accordingly. It was one that got out of hand."

• Commissioner Tisch’s Counter: NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch isn't buying the "youthful indiscretion" narrative. Within hours of the Mayor's comments, she called for a full criminal investigation, highlighting that Coulibaly is no stranger to the system—he was arrested just three weeks ago for an attempted robbery in the subways.

"A 27-year-old with a recent attempted robbery arrest is not a ‘kid.’" — Patrick Hendry, PBA President

The Hunt for the Remaining Three

Coulibaly may be the first, but the NYPD says he won't be the last. Detectives are currently hunting for three more suspects, described as being between 18 and 20 years old.

The NYPD is putting its money where its mouth is, offering a $3,500 reward for information leading to their arrest.

The Bigger Picture

This arrest sends a vibrating shockwave through New York’s political landscape. It highlights a growing rift between a Mayor who advocates for a "de-escalated" city and a Police Department that feels undermined by City Hall's rhetoric. As the search for the final three suspects continues, New Yorkers are left asking: is this a city of "kids at play," or is the rule of law melting away?