NEW YORK CITY — Prosecutors have dropped an assault charge against a 27-year-old man who was arrested in connection with pelting police officers with snowballs in Washington Square Park on Monday.
Prosecutors from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office have instead charged Gusmane Coulibaly with misdemeanor obstructing government administration and harassment.
Coulibaly was arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court on Thursday and has been released on supervised release.
According to prosecutors, they were unable to prove that an officer suffered a physical injury from Coulibaly’s actions.
Coulibaly was one of four suspects being sought in connection with the Feb. 23 incident. Police released images of the suspects on Tuesday. The 27-year-old was previously arrested for an attempted robbery in the transit system less than three weeks ago, according to police.
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.
An investigation remains ongoing.