NEW YORK CITY, US – A group of 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.
According to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, the charges come in response to 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.”
The investigation involved a meticulous review of CCTV camera footage to determine the role of each suspect in the attack, Bragg stated. Out of the seven indicted suspects, five had been previously arrested and released without bail, while two others are currently being sought. Some of those arrested have fled to California, including one individual who was caught on camera flipping off reporters after being released.
In a now-viral video of the attack, one of the migrants was seen stomping on a lieutenant’s head as the police officer tried to apprehend a suspect on the ground. The migrant then kicked another officer in the back before returning to take a kick at the lieutenant.
Some of the individuals who were released on bail have fled the state, prompting some New York Republican lawmakers to call for the removal of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg from office. Despite this, Bragg has reaffirmed his commitment to working with law enforcement to ensure that everyone responsible for the attack is brought to justice.
The assault comes amidst a significant influx of migrants to New York City, with more than 170,000 migrants arriving since 2020. These recent events have sparked a heated debate and calls for action from various political figures and authorities.