Nearly a half-dozen people have been arrested and authorities are looking
for three more in connection with an attack on two NYPD officers in Times
Square over the weekend.

Authorities say the caught-on-camera brawl erupted Saturday night as cops
tried to break up a group of migrants in front of a shelter on 42nd
Street, steps from the New Amsterdam Theatre. Multiple law enforcement
sources said it all started when a couple of people walked up to the
officers and said there was a group here being disorderly, causing issues.

Police went to check it out, and it escalated quickly. New video obtained
by NBC New York showed the moments before the beat down, as a police
officer and a lieutenant were talking to the group. They put their hands
on one person and suddenly the cops were surrounded. They stumble down
42nd Street, where the officers fall to the ground, before being kicked,
stomped, punched in the face and head.

One lieutenant suffered a cut to his face. The other officer has injuries
to the side of his body.

"I�m appalled at this. The city, we have had enough," said NYPD Chief of
Patrol John Chell. "The shame of this is they�re trying to keep this city
safe, and they get attacked by eight cowards who are kicking them in the
face, taking cheap shots."

The five people arrested all are accused of assault or attempted assault
on a police officer and gang assault. Several are charged additionally
with obstructing governmental administration. One of the suspects has no
known address, while one is from Mississippi. The other three currently
have addresses listed in Brooklyn and Queens, the NYPD said.

Police are still searching for three others allegedly involved in the
attack. Some of the suspects are migrants, NBC New York has learned, while
police were familiar with the others from past incidents and have lengthy
rap sheets.

Chell noted angrily that the suspects who had been charged were already
back on the street.

"These individuals who were arrested [or] will be arrested should be
indicted, they should be sitting in Rikers awaiting their day in front of
the judge. Plain and simple," Chell said.

The suspects all face charges that carry up to seven years in prison, if
convicted.

The injured officers suffered bruises but are expected to be OK.

"Violence against police officers is never acceptable." a spokesperson
with the Manhattan district attorney's office said Wednesday afternoon.
"It is paramount that we conclusively identify each defendant and specify
each participant�s role in the incident. Every defendant charged so far is
facing felony charges that carry a penalty of up to seven years. This is
an active, ongoing investigation."

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.

Violence at migrant shelters has been a burgeoning problem as of late,
prompting demands for fresh quality of life initiatives in certain
neighborhoods. The city's largest shelter is on Randall's Island, where a
deadly fight broke out earlier this month. Three people were arraigned
Tuesday in that case.

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/nypd-officers-attacked-times-
square/5091375/