Introduction to the Incident
New body camera video shows images of three teens who are still on the run after allegedly being part of a mob with ties to a migrant youth gang that attacked two NYPD officers in Times Square.
Details of the Attack
Two of the suspects were seen heavily masked up, but one of the teens – believed to be as young as 15 — was wearing a black undershirt and had his fists raised in the video. Deputy Mayor of Public Safety Kaz Daughtry said the officers in Times Square thought they were breaking up a fight, but bodycam video shows the officers were actually preventing a robbery from taking place.
"The officers had to make a split-decision right there," Daughtry said. "We believe that this group was trying to rob two individuals, two young boys."
Aftermath of the Attack
The officers were not seriously injured, despite being pelted with scooters, basketball and makeshift weapons, according to police.
"Thank God that this group, this vicious group, was not armed because that could have been bad," said Daughtry.
The NYPD Investigation
The NYPD is looking for more teens connected to an alleged Times Square attack on police officers, with several already facing charges. The young alleged gang members could be connected to dozens of other crimes.
The NYPD said the group, Los Diablos de la 42, is an offshoot of the Venezuelan street gang Tren De Aragua, with some members as young as 12. Daughtry said the group is behind a string of citywide robberies, including some that happened in Central Park last summer and others on the subway.
Arrests and Charges
At least six of the suspects have been arrested, thanks in part to the NYPD’s gang database, said Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
"Without this tool, we’d lose the edge that keeps our city safe. That’s why it defies common sense that our city council is looking to abolish this database," the commissioner said.
A council bill, if approved, would abolish the gang database that contains roughly 16,000 names. As a sanctuary city, city officials stress they will not tip off or help ICE agents with civil deportation issues even if a migrant has a criminal record.
Those arrested so far face counts of riot, attempted assault on a police officer and criminal possession of a weapon.
Have you seen them?
Photos show three suspects wanted in connection with the attack on the officers.
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Handout
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What happened in Times Square?
The incident occurred Friday night, around the same time the boxing matches were underway in the Crossroads of the World, highlighted by the Ryan Garcia-Rolly Romero bout.
Surveillance video showed the suspects appear to turn on NYPD officers as they attempted to thwart an apparent assault on a mother and child near West 42nd Street and Eighth Avenue. The group tried to interfere by hurling a slew of different objects including a scooter, a basketball, an umbrella and bottles as they attacked the officers, police allege.
"This was a targeted attack. Planned, deliberate and carried out with intent, and it will not be tolerated," said Commissioner Tisch.
Sources said 37 gang members from the gang have been arrested more than 240 times — and because they’re juveniles, they end right back out on street.
"Make no mistake, this is not low level crime. It’s organized violence carried out by gang members that we have already taken off the streets for preying on New Yorkers," Tisch said Tuesday. "It’s not a fluke. It’s a system failure. It’s what happens when repeat offenders are allowed to cycle through arrest after arrest."
Conclusion
The incident in Times Square highlights the ongoing issue of gang violence and the challenges faced by law enforcement in addressing it. The use of bodycam video and gang databases has been instrumental in identifying and apprehending suspects, but the cycle of repeat offenders and the limitations of sanctuary city policies pose significant challenges to keeping communities safe.
FAQs
Q: What is the name of the gang involved in the attack?
A: The gang is known as Los Diablos de la 42, an offshoot of the Venezuelan street gang Tren De Aragua.
Q: How many suspects have been arrested so far?
A: At least six suspects have been arrested, with several facing charges of riot, attempted assault on a police officer, and criminal possession of a weapon.
Q: What is the age range of the suspects?
A: The suspects are believed to be between 12 and 15 years old.
Q: What is the status of the gang database used by the NYPD?
A: The city council is considering abolishing the gang database, which contains roughly 16,000 names, despite concerns from law enforcement that it is a crucial tool in keeping the city safe.
