Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg announces new charges against migrants in Times Square attack on police
The migrants can be seen on video stomping on an NYPD officer's head and then kicking another officer in the back
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Seven of the migrants captured on camera viciously attacking a pair of New York City police officers in Times Square last month have been indicted by a grand jury, officials said Thursday.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced the charges amid public outrage following the Jan. 27 attack on an NYPD officer and lieutenant.
"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."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Investigators meticulously reviewed CCTV camera footage to determine each suspect's role in the attack, Bragg said. The DA's office said it believes 11 people were involved in the incident, which began when two officers asked a disorderly group to move along, leading to a confrontation.
ICE OFFICIAL RIPS NYC POLICIES SHIELDING POLICE-BEATING MIGRANTS FROM DEPORTATION
Of the seven indicted suspects, five were previously arrested and all face felony charges. Darwin Andres Gomez, 19, Wilson Juarez, 21, Kelvin Servita Arocha, 19, and Yorman Reveron, 24, were part of the initial group of four who were arrested and let go.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Jhoan Boada, 22, was arrested later and then released before flipping the bird to waiting reporters. He has not been indicted.
Arocha, Gomez-Izquiel and Reveron are both charged with two counts each of second-degree assault and obstructing governmental administration.
Juarez, who watched the attack from a distance, is charged with tampering with physical evidence and hindering prosecution. He is accused of switching jackets with one of the other suspects to throw off investigators.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A violent illegal migrant who was captured on CCTV stomping and kicking two police officers during the vicious Times Square attack late last month has yet to be arrested and is still at large, according to the NYPD. (NYPD )
Brito, who was allegedly seen wrestling with officers on the ground, faces charges of two counts of second-degree assault, obstructing governmental administration, tampering with physical evidence and hindering prosecution.
He has been held on Rikers Island since Feb. 1.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Two other suspects were allegedly involved, but their names were not released. No warrants for their arrests have been issued, meaning they only have to appear in court for their arraignment, for which a date has not been set.
Three other possible suspects have not been arrested. The DA's office is still investigating their potential involvement in the attack.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg explains an evidence video during a press conference Thursday announcing charges against migrants involved in a Times Square attack on NYPD officers on Jan. 27. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)
Patrick Hendry, the president of the Police Benevolent Association, said the indictments don't mean "anything unless these individuals show up in a Manhattan courtroom."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"Some might be thousands of miles away at this point. New York City police officers will apprehend those who fail to appear, but we shouldn't have to," he said in a statement. "They should be in jail. We don't call it justice until they are all behind bars."
In the now-viral video of the attack, police say that a migrant stomped on a lieutenant's head as the police officer tried to apprehend a suspect on the ground. The migrant then kicks the other officer in the back before returning and taking a kick at the lieutenant.
A migrant charged with assaulting two NYPD officers in Times Square flipped off reporters Wednesday. (Steven Hirsch/New York Post)
Mayor Eric Adams, a former NYPD officer, defended migrants overall but said there is a "small minority that's participating in illegal behavior."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"In no way, should we give any indicator that the overwhelming number of migrants and asylum seekers are law-abiding, and they're pursuing the American dream," Adams said Thursday.
More than 170,000 migrants have arrived in New York City since 2022.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Meanwhile, taxpayers continue to pay for the housing and food of around 67,000 migrants at various shelters as funding for other services is slashed.
Fox News Digital's Michael Dorgan contributed to this report.