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Washington Square Park snowball thrower gets community service for pelting NYPD
By
Walter Wuthmann
Published Nov 2, 2026 at 3:38 p.m. ET
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NYPD
By
Walter Wuthmann
Published Nov 2, 2026 at 3:38 p.m. ET
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An influencer accused of criminal assault for pelting an officer with a snowball during a viral Washington Square Park snowball fight earlier this year will have his case dismissed for community service.
Manhattan prosecutors on Friday agreed to toss the charges against Gusmane Coulibaly, 28 — AKA “Diaper Man” — if he completes 20 hours of community service for the Parks Department.
The plea deal marks the end of a chapter in the snowball-gate saga. The social media-fueled showdown between a rowdy crowd and police officers sparked a broader debate about Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s approach to public safety. Mamdani downplayed the incident as “a snowball fight,” while NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch called the incident “disgraceful” and “criminal.”
Even Gov. Kathy Hochul weighed in, saying it was “never acceptable to throw anything at a police officer, full stop.”
The NYPD put out wanted photos for four men in connection with the snowball fight following a historic blizzard that dumped 20 inches of snow on the city. Officers arrested Coulibaly a few days later.
Prosecutors in Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office declined to pursue assault charges, instead charging Coulibaly with misdemeanor obstructing government administration and a harassment violation.
Both charges will be dismissed if Coulibaly completes the community service hours. In a prepared statement to the court Friday, prosecutors said, “We believe this disposition is appropriate and consistent with this defendant’s conduct that day.”
Police union officials disagreed.
“We’re not surprised that we’re getting weak justice in this case, because DA Alvin Bragg and Mayor Mamdani made sure of that from the beginning,” Hendry said in a statement. “By downplaying this attack on police officers, the mayor and DA gave this individual a free pass to keep causing chaos on our streets.”
The organized snowball fight in Washington Square Park in February devolved after participants turned on police.
Ryan Murphy/Getty Images
Hendry had appeared at Coulibaly’s arraignment in February, alongside about a dozen uniformed officers.
A second suspect, 18-year-old Eric Wilson, was arrested in March after turning himself in. Wilson pleaded guilty to non-criminal harassment charges in April in exchange for community service, according to the Manhattan DA’s Office.
Coulibaly has continued to have run-ins with police since the snowball fight.
Police arrested Coulibaly on Oct. 8 for allegedly attempting to rob a street vendor in East Harlem. Officers accused Coulibaly of lifting his shirt “to reveal the handle of a firearm in his waistband,” court records show. Coulibaly has pleaded not guilty.
In a video posted to his “Diaper Man” Instagram page on Oct. 22, Coulibaly appears to be arrested by NYPD officers after driving an e-scooter on a sidewalk.
“Took the cops on a lil troll run,” the caption reads.
Coulibaly did not respond to an inquiry. His attorney declined to comment.
Tagged
manhattan
parks
public safety
Walter Wuthmann
Walter Wuthmann is a reporter covering public safety and the legal system.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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