One of the suspects accused of throwing snowballs at police officers during a snowball fight in Washington Square Park is now in custody, the NYPD said Thursday.

Gusmane Coulibaly, 27, was arrested for allegedly assaulting officers during Monday’s incident, the department said in a post on social media.

What You Need To Know

Gusmane Coulibaly, 27, was arrested Thursday for allegedly assaulting officers during a Washington Square Park snowball fight

Two officers were injured, suffering facial lacerations, and the NYPD describes the case as an assault

Mayor Zohran Mamdani has said the incident “got out of hand” but does not believe charges are warranted

The NYPD said it was not Coulibaly’s first arrest.

“Mr. Coulibaly was previously arrested less than three weeks ago for an attempted robbery in the transit system,” the agency wrote, without providing additional details.

It’s not clear yet what specific charges Coulibaly will face. His attorney information wasn’t immediately available Thursday.

The NYPD is still seeking three other suspects in connection with the case, which has escalated into a citywide dispute over whether what unfolded was harmless chaos or criminal conduct.

Police said the incident in Washington Square Park left two officers with facial lacerations. Police Benevolent Association president Patrick Hendry — whose union represents thousands of NYPD officers — swiftly condemned it as an “attack,” while Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch called it “disgraceful” and “criminal.”

“[The officers] were surrounded by a group which they described as mainly adults, who were blocking both entrances of the park,” Hendry said. “It’s just a snowball fight, no. This was ice chunks that were smashed on a police officer’s head.”

Mayor Zohran Mamdani, for his part, has said he does not believe criminal charges are warranted.

“To me, it was a snowball fight that got out of hand, and it should be treated accordingly,” he said at a news conference Wednesday.

Following the arrest Thursday, Hendry doubled down on his previous remarks.

“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,” he said in a statement. “We thank all of the NYPD members who have worked so hard on this case, and all of 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,” he added.