On Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, after a major winter storm dropped nearly two feet of snow across New York City, a large crowd gathered in Washington Square Park (Manhattan) for an informal snowball fight. Hundreds of people — mostly young adults and teens — were seen throwing snowballs across the park and streets. The gathering began as a playful, spontaneous winter tradition but quickly gained momentum as more people showed up.
When It Escalated
Police say NYPD units were called to the park around 4 p.m. for a separate report about people on a roof in the park. When officers entered the area, snowballs began being thrown at them, and several officers were hit and injured, including facial lacerations.
Some members of the crowd are seen targeting the officers with snowballs, not just participating in the general snowball fight.
After being struck, several officers were taken to local hospitals for treatment.
Who Was Involved
- Participants: A large, informal crowd of snowball fighters who gathered voluntarily after the snowstorm. There was no official organizer confirmed by authorities, though social media posts and local chatter suggest that events like this sometimes get amplified by apps like SideTalk or Instagram posts ahead of time.
- NYPD: Officers responded as part of a routine call but encountered the large crowd and became subjects of the snowball throwing.
No official group or formal leadership has been identified among the snowball participants.
Why It Got Out of Hand
Snowball fights in NYC parks after big storms are a common local tradition (there are archived videos from previous years showing similar gatherings).
But this time:
- The crowd was unusually large and spread across streets near the park.
- Some participants shifted from just throwing snowballs at each other to throwing them at police officers and vehicles.
- A chaotic mix of revelry and disregard for public order made it harder for police to manage safely.
NYPD Response & Next Steps
Official Statements
- NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch called the behavior “disgraceful and criminal” and said the department is investigating. Tisch confirmed videos show officers being attacked with snowballs and emphasized that such conduct can be assault.
“The behavior depicted is disgraceful, and it is criminal,” Tisch said in a statement.
Police Union Reactions
- The Police Benevolent Associationhttps://www.nycpba.org/ (PBA) called the attacks “unacceptable and outrageous” and urged authorities to identify and arrest offenders.
- The Detectives’ Endowment Association (DEA) said officials will work to identify those involved, make arrests, and press charges — including assault on police officers charges.
Investigation
- NYPD detectives have opened an investigation into the incident.
- Officials have not yet released whether any arrests have been made but have stated that footage and social media posts will be reviewed.
📌 Official News Summaries
Here are reputable news snapshots you can check:
📰 Latest News Reports
- Chaotic snowball fight — mob tormenting cops — NY Post report on how the event escalated and drew criticism from NYPD leaders.
- NYPD Commissioner condemns snowball attack — Anadolu Agency report with official police statement.
- Officers injured by snowballs — ABC7 New York detailed injuries and union calls for prosecutions.
New York City Police Department (NYPD)
The Police Commissioner of New York City,
Jessica Tisch,
issued a statement through the official NYPD account.
Summary of the official statement:
- The NYPD is aware of videos showing individuals throwing snowballs at officers in Washington Square Park.
- The behavior was described as “criminal.”
- An official investigation has been opened.
- Detectives are working to identify the individuals involved.
📍 Where to verify the primary source:
- Official NYPD website (News section):
https://www.nypdnews.com/ - Official City of New York website (.gov):
https://www.nyc.gov/ - Official NYPD Commissioner’s verified government social media account
