Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said he will present charges this week to a grand jury in connection with the heinous group assault on two Midtown police officers last month caught on camera.
In a joint statement Saturday with Police Commissioner Edward Caban, Bragg explained that “it is clear from video and other evidence that some of the most culpable individuals have not yet been identified or arrested, and we are working hand-in-hand with the NYPD to find and hold them accountable for their despicable acts.”
So far, six individuals have been arrested in connection with the Jan. 27 attack outside the Candler Building on West 42nd Street off 7th Avenue, where a migrant shelter is currently situated. Police have identified the suspects as migrants living in the city, or with last known residences out of town. More than a dozen suspects may have participated in the attack on the two officers, which included an NYPD lieutenant.
But just one of the six suspects, thus far, have been held in custody on bail; the others were released on their own recognizance at their arraignments, which infuriated police brass and many New Yorkers.
Bragg said on Saturday that his office would do everything it can to hold the perpetrators responsible for the Jan. 27 assault to account for their actions, while additionally throwing the book at other known defendants with a grand jury indictment.
“Our office continues to work with law enforcement to bring everyone responsible for these heinous attacks to justice,” Bragg said. “We are simultaneously preparing to present charges to the grand jury on Tuesday and will update the public as soon as legally permissible. We will not rest until every person who assaulted a police officer in this awful attack is held accountable.”
Caban added that the NYPD would cooperate with Bragg’s office “to identify and arrest every person who participated in this event.”
“An attack against a police officer is an attack against our entire society,” Caban said. “The NYPD is thoroughly investigating this incident, which saw a group of cowards assault two uniformed officers tasked with protecting our community.”
During the Jan. 27 assault, according to police sources, the cops attempted to break up what they described as a disorderly group loitering. But after things turned violent, the cops wrestled with one man, trying to place him in cuffs.
That’s when the rest of the group piled in — unleashing kicks and punches upon the members of service just outside of the shelter. The cops were battered across their bodies and heads, and were treated at the scene for minor injuries.
Officers were able to arrest four attackers, while the other perpetrators fled eastbound on West 42nd Street toward 7th Avenue, law enforcement sources said.
