NYC mayor ‘disgusted’ by video of group attacking NYPD officers in Times Square

MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) – Mayor Eric Adams says he is “disgusted by what he saw” in a video showing a group that included migrants attacking two NYPD officers in Times Square over the weekend.

The incident happened in front of 220 West 42nd St. around 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, according to the NYPD.

The police officers were trying to get a "disorderly" group to move along from the area when a physical altercation occurred, NYPD officials said. The officers then tried to take one of the people into custody, which is when other members of the group began repeatedly kicking the officers.

Police arrested five of the people who were allegedly involved, with others still being sought.

The police officers suffered bumps and bruises in the attack and are expected to be OK.

“First of all, I’m disgusted by what I saw. We’re going to find each person involved and they are going to be brought to justice,” Adams told PIX11 News.

The five suspects arrested were charged with assault on a police officer and gang assault, officials said. Four of them have already been released without bail. NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell believes the incident is an example of why there should be tougher bail laws.

“Four are arrested on the scene. One was arrested last night. The four that were arrested should be sitting in Rikers right now on bail. They should be indicted this week and taken off our street. You want to know why our cops are getting assaulted? There are no consequences,” Chell said.

In response to the release of the suspects, Adams said “there are some things in the criminal justice system” that are out of their control.

The mayor also suggested that authorities should reexamine the ability to deport migrants who commit violent crimes.

“Those migrants who are here because they want to be part of the American dream, we say ‘yes’ to that,” Adams said. “But those who are breaking our laws, we need to reexamine the laws that don’t allow us to deport them, because they are doing violent acts. We cannot create an atmosphere where you’re going to bring violence in our city.”