Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Transit Cop Who Pulled Gun On Snowball-Wielding Teens Admits He Exaggerated Threat
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Jan 28, 2014
Modified Jan 28, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Jan 28, 2014
Modified Jan 28, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
This was a long time coming: Five young men are suing a Bronx transit cop who pulled a gun on them in 2010 after he claimed they attacked him with "multiple" snowballs; and in court today, the officer admitted that the then-teenagers in fact hit him with just one single snowball.
Officer Adonis Ramirez, 34, was off-duty when he pulled his loaded handgun on the group of teenagers during a snowstorm in February 2010, alleging the teens struck him with several snowballs, taunted and threatened him while he walked to his car. Four of the teenagers—dubbed the "Snowball Four"—were arrested for weapons possession, attempted assault, menacing and harassment, but a few months later the charges against them were dropped thanks to "insufficient evidence."
The teens have since filed a $10 million false arrest claim against Ramirez and the NYPD, and in court today Ramirez recanted his initial allegation that the young men pelted him, admitting that they hit him with "one" snowball. "They did what kids always do, they throw snowballs at each other," the plaintiffs' attorney, Neil Wollerstein, said, according to the Daily News. "A single snowball is lobbed in the most innocent and playful fashion...[and] the lives of these young kids changed forever."
Surveillance video from the time of the incident showed Ramirez pulling his gun on the teens after being hit by one snowball; at the time, the teens told reporters that Ramirez had never identified himself as an officer, and said they feared for their lives. "I felt that at that moment one of us was going to get killed or shot," then 18-year-old Miguel Rondon told ABC News.
Tagged
adonis ramirez
snowball 4
snowball four
Rebecca Fishbein
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Queens man found dead, police say, and injured woman is his mother, neighbors say
Police are investigating a related incident in which a 62-year-old woman was found injured beneath the Van Wyck Expressway.
By
Charles Lane
Published Oct 14, 2026 at 7:39 p.m. ET
Man shot by ICE in NYC's Marble Hill said federal officers never identified themselves
The wounded man said he didn't learn ICE agents were involved until he woke up in the hospital.
By
Arya Sundaram
and
Samantha Max
News
Man shot by ICE in NYC's Marble Hill said federal officers never identified themselves
The wounded man said he didn't learn ICE agents were involved until he woke up in the hospital.
By
Arya Sundaram
and
Samantha Max
Brooklyn school dean says MTA officers assaulted him over a $3 bus fare he says he paid
By
Carol Chen
National Grid customers in NYC will see higher gas bills this winter
By
Rosemary Misdary
Bruce Blakeman joins Gov. Hochul in support for expanding NY rape law
By
Jon Campbell
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .