Police sources have confirmed that two New York Police Department (NYPD) officers were attacked by 11 alleged teen members of the Tren de Aragua gang in Times Square on Friday, prompting a manhunt for the suspects.
According to Fox News, police sources confirmed that five of the suspects involved in the police attack have been arrested and identified as illegal immigrants from Venezuela. The outlet noted that the teenage gang members threw rocks, glass bottles, and basketballs at the NYPD officers, who were responding to a robbery at the time of Friday’s incident.
Fox News reported that police officials said the youngest suspect involved in Friday’s attack is just 12 years old, while one of the suspects is being charged as an adult with assault and riot charges.
During a press briefing on Tuesday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said, “It’s horrific enough to be a victim of a crime. But when someone openly assaults a police officer, you are attacking our symbol of safety, and it cannot be tolerated.”
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch explained that the “troubling incident” took place in Times Square at roughly 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Tisch said the officers “noticed about 10 to 12 individuals beginning to surround three others.”
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“The officers engaged the group and attempted to break up what appeared to be a wolfpack-style robbery. Instead, they were ambushed [and] pelted with scooters, basketballs and other makeshift weapons,” the NYPD commissioner added. “This was a targeted attack. Planned, deliberate and carried out with intent, and it will not be tolerated. Luckily, our officers are OK, and the investigation that followed was fast, effective and focused.”
A video of Friday’s incident has been shared on X, formerly Twitter.
According to Fox News, Tisch announced that police officials identified multiple suspects in Friday’s incident as members of a “violent group known as Los Diablos de 42, a subset of Tren de Aragua,” within hours of the attack.
Regarding the suspects who have not yet been arrested by law enforcement officials, Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin emphasized in a post on X that law enforcement agencies will “hunt down these cowards and they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” McLaughlin added that Homeland Security Department Secretary Kristi Noem will “not stand idly by as our brave law enforcement is attacked.”
During an appearance on Fox News’ “The Ingraham Angle,” Tom Homan, who serves as President Donald Trump’s border czar, warned that criminals who are “brazen enough to attack an armed law enforcement officer” are “much more dangerous to an unarmed civilian.” Homan also issued a warning to the suspects who remain at large following Friday’s incident, saying, “We’re coming for them.”
