NEW YORK (VINnews) — Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Tuesday declined to characterize a snowball-throwing incident involving police officers in Washington Square Park as criminal, saying video of the encounter appeared to show “a snowball fight.”

Clips shared widely on social media show a crowd tossing snow at uniformed officers and a marked police vehicle during a winter storm that covered the city in heavy snowfall. Police had responded to reports of a disorderly gathering in the park.

Asked whether he agreed with Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch that the conduct amounted to a crime, Mamdani said the footage he reviewed did not suggest that. He praised officers for working extended hours during the storm and said city employees “deserve respect.”

“If anyone in city government should be hit with a snowball, it’s me,” he added in a lighthearted remark.

When questioned about whether the participants were minors, Mamdani said the video he saw appeared to show young people engaged in what he described as a snowball fight.

Tisch, however, called the behavior “disgraceful” and said it was under criminal investigation. She said detectives were reviewing the footage and seeking to identify those involved.

The head of the city’s largest police union urged authorities to pursue assault charges against anyone responsible.

Gov. Kathy Hochul also weighed in, saying it is never acceptable to throw objects at law enforcement officers.

Police said the matter remains under investigation.