Seven People Indicted in Assault on Police Officers in Times Square
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg announced on Thursday that seven people have been indicted following an incident in which police officers were assaulted in Times Square. The altercation, which took place on the night of January 27, was captured on body camera footage from one of the officers involved.
The incident began when two police officers approached a group of immigrants who were outside a shelter in the Candler building. The officers asked the group to leave the area and directed them to the back street entrance of the shelter. As the group began to comply, Yohenry Brito, one of the individuals, made derogatory comments towards a woman pushing a stroller, leading to a confrontation with the police officer.
The situation quickly escalated, with Yohenry’s companions recording the altercation with their phones. After the attack, the alleged suspects fled the scene, prompting the police to seek reinforcements and launch a search for the individuals involved.
An indictment was announced on Thursday, with the seven individuals now facing charges related to the assault. Two others have not been arrested, and additional names remain sealed until they are prosecuted in court. The indictment includes charges of second-degree assault, obstruction of government administration, and tampering with physical evidence.
Prosecutor Alvin Bragg expressed outrage at the assault on the police officers, stating that such behavior is not tolerated. In a separate incident, a victim identified as Dafrén Cañizales died at the scene following another altercation outside a shelter in New York City.
The incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by asylum seekers, with more than 100,000 people arriving in the city seeking asylum, 60,000 of whom are living in shelters. As the situation unfolds, authorities continue to address incidents and work to provide support and protection for vulnerable populations.
In unrelated news, authorities recently uncovered a cache of weapons and explosives in an apartment in Queens, leading to the arrest of two individuals who now face numerous charges related to criminal weapons possession. A handwritten note outlining potential targets for attack, including police officers, judges, politicians, celebrities, and bankers, was also found at the scene. The individuals are scheduled to appear in court on February 15 and face a sentence of up to 25 years in prison.