Indictments Issued in Connection with Assault on New York City Police Officers
Migrants Among Those Arrested in Times Square Attack
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Incident Overview
Seven individuals have been indicted in connection with an assault that took place last month on two New York City police officers in Times Square, according to an announcement made on Thursday by the Manhattan district attorney. Three other individuals involved in the assault are still unknown and their identification is under investigation.
Immigration Status and Release Without Bail
The case has garnered attention due to the immigration status of some of the defendants. Last week, four individuals named in the indictment were released without bail, a decision that has faced criticism. State and city officials have voiced their disapproval of the release.
Charges and Accusations
The indicted individuals, namely Yorman Reveron, Darwin Andres Gomez-Izquiel, Kelvin Servita Arocha, and Yohenry Brito, are facing two counts of second-degree assault and one count of second-degree obstructing governmental administration. The incident on January 27 involved a group of people pushing, struggling with, grabbing, or kicking the two police officers as they were attempting to make an arrest.
Additional Charges
Yohenry Brito and a fifth man named Wilson Juarez are each charged with one count of tampering with physical evidence. Brito is additionally charged with hindering prosecution in the third degree, while Juarez faces two counts of the same charge.
Ongoing Investigation
Two more individuals have been indicted in the case, but their names are currently under seal as they have not been arrested or arraigned yet, according to the Manhattan District Attorney’s office.
Injuries to Officers
The two police officers sustained minor injuries during the incident but were treated at the scene.
Responses and Statements
When reached for comment, the attorneys for the named suspects declined to provide statements. The Legal Aid Society, a nonprofit law firm, mentioned that Yorman Reveron has no prior criminal convictions and urged the public to withhold judgment while they conduct their own investigation. Wilson Juarez’s attorney, Adrienne Doreen Edward, argued that after examining the evidence, Juarez’s original assault charges were downgraded as it was determined that he did not assault a police officer. Edward also stated that Juarez is expected to appear in court next week.
Police Investigation and Search for Suspects
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg revealed during a news conference on Thursday that images from the scene have helped investigators identify six out of the nine individuals involved in the assault. However, the search is ongoing for the remaining three unidentified individuals. Bragg disclosed that the police have utilized surveillance videos, body camera footage, and witness interviews to aid in identifying the suspects.
Mayor’s Office of New York City
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg shows images of three unidentified individuals that officials are seeking to identify. The first three individuals from the left have not been recognized, according to Bragg.
Remarks from Authorities
During the news conference, District Attorney Alvin Bragg expressed his revulsion and outrage towards the assault, stating, “This assault, as it did to many of you, sickened me and outraged me. We all rely on members of the NYPD every day to keep us safe and keep this the safest big city in America.”
Initial Arraignments and Release Without Bail
Six individuals were arraigned and charged last week. Of the group, only Yohenry Brito has been held in jail since the arrest. Reveron, Gomez-Izquiel, Arocha, Juarez, and another individual who has not been indicted were released without bail. The fifth individual, who faced initial assault charges, has not been indicted and is still being investigated, as confirmed by Bragg’s office.
Controversy Surrounding Bail Decision
The release of the suspects without bail has faced criticism from various officials, including New York’s governor and the city’s mayor. District Attorney Alvin Bragg, however, defended the decision, citing no substantial evidence that the defendants posed a flight risk.
Reported Travel to California
Reportedly, four out of the five individuals released without bail subsequently traveled to a city near the border of Mexico in California. The district attorney’s office is investigating this report, as announced last week.
Migrants Involved in the Incident
Based on information from a police source, it is believed that at least some of the individuals arrested in connection with the assault are migrants.
Refuting Misinformation
During the news conference, District Attorney Alvin Bragg clarified that there has been misinformation regarding the suspects. He maintained that there is no evidence suggesting any intent to flee. It was also mentioned that one of the suspects was present in a Manhattan court on Wednesday regarding a separate matter.
Critical Remarks from Public Officials
New York Governor Kathy Hochul, in a statement to MSNBC, condemned the assault as an abhorrent act and expressed disagreement regarding the suspects’ release. Mayor Eric Adams acknowledged that the majority of migrants and asylum seekers coming to the city are law-abiding individuals in pursuit of the American dream.
Confrontation and Arrest
The incident commenced on January 27, after 8:30 p.m. According to NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph E. Kenny, a group of men, including Yohenry Brito, were blocking a street near a shelter, forcing people to walk around them. Following a police order to disperse, the majority complied, except Brito, who engaged in a confrontational manner. His non-compliance led to an attempt to arrest him and subsequently, a melee ensued as the officers tried to restrain him.
Witness Accounts and Suspect Actions
During the confrontation, Darwin Andres Gomez-Izquiel allegedly grabbed and kicked two officers. Yorman Reveron is accused of forcefully throwing officers to the ground. Wilson Juarez and Kelvin Servita Arocha did not come into physical contact with the officers. However, Arocha is accused of kicking an officer’s radio, while Juarez provided his jacket to Brito and took someone else’s jacket, potentially in an effort to hinder identification.
Unidentified Suspects and Their Actions
Three individuals who participated in the assault have yet to be identified and arrested. One of the unidentified individuals was seen kicking an officer’s head multiple times and grabbing and pulling the collar of another officer. Another suspect kicked an officer in the head, while the third unidentified suspect kicked an officer.
Public Statements
Mayor Eric Adams described the assault as a despicable act, reiterating its impact on individuals and the symbol of justice.
Investigation Materials
The incident was captured on surveillance videos, which have been publicly released, along with body camera footage, still images, and witness interviews, aiding the ongoing investigation.
Closing Remark
CNN’s Rob Frehse contributed to this report.