NEW YORK CITY – Seven migrants who were caught on camera brutally attacking two New York City police officers in Times Square last month have been indicted by a grand jury, officials announced Thursday.
The Manhattan District Attorney, Alvin Bragg, revealed the charges in response to widespread public outrage following the attack. “This assault… sickened me and outraged me,” Bragg said during a news conference. “As a lifelong New Yorker, I do not tolerate attacks on our police officers and certainly I do not as Manhattan district attorney.”
Bragg also mentioned that his office continues to work with law enforcement to ensure everyone responsible for the attacks is brought to justice.
Amid the ongoing controversy, some New York Republican lawmakers have called for District Attorney Bragg to be removed from office due to his handling of the case.
In the now-viral video of the attack, a migrant can be seen stomping on a police lieutenant’s head as the officer attempts to apprehend a suspect on the ground. The migrant then kicks the other officer in the back before returning to take a kick at the lieutenant.
Of the seven indicted suspects, five were previously arrested before being released on bail. Two others are currently being sought, as they have reportedly fled the state, with some heading to California.
Overall, more than 170,000 migrants have arrived in New York City since 2022.