Snowball Incident Triggers War of Words Between New York Leaders

Former Poughkeepsie Mayor Rob Rolison has some choice words for New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani after the world's most infamous "snowball fight".

The blizzard of 2026 not only brought record amounts of snow to parts of New York, but it also brought along some drama after members of the New York City Police Department were pelted with snowballs at a massive snowball fight at Washington Square Park in Manhattan, NY.

Police Hit With Snowballs in New York City

It all started on Monday, when NYPD officers were called to respond and attempt to break up a planned snowball fight. Once they arrived, some of the participants began to throw snowballs at officers from all directions, hitting them and covering them in snow, according to the Associated Press.

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ABC 7 shared a video of the incident that shows officers being struck with snowballs...

Two officers ended up in a local emergency room after they were allegedly struck in the face and head.

Snowball Fight Investigation

Following the incident, New York City's police commissioner Jessica Tisch announced that the department is investigating, calling the behavior by some involved “disgraceful” and “criminal”. Tisch also released images (below) of some of the people involved, asking the public to help identify them.

Former Poughkeepsie Mayor Blasts New York City Mayor

On Tuesday, New York City Mayor Mamdani said that he does not believe anyone should be charged in the incident, stating, "From the videos that I've seen, it looks like a snowball fight". That comment has received backlash from numerous organizations and public figures, including former Poughkeepsie Mayor and current New York State Senator, Rob Rolison.

"This was not simply a snowball fight as the Mayor callously remarked. As a former Mayor and retired police officer, I will always stand with my brothers and sisters laying their lives on the line to uphold public safety," said Rolison on Facebook. "Mayor Mamdani’s careless dismissal of adults throwing chunks of ice and rocks at NYPD officers is a slap in the face to the men and women of the NYPD."

Later that day, Mamdani told reporters, "The only person in our city's workforce who deserves to be hit with a snowball is me."