Mayor Eric Adams backs DA Alvin Bragg's approach to NYPD Times Square attack investigation
NEW YORK -- Mayor Eric Adams is standing behind Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg as the pressure is on to prosecute the group that attacked two police officers in late January in Times Square.
The NYPD says 13 were involved, and six have been charged. On Monday, the department shared some new information on the suspects.
The chief of detectives said it's believed some of those who participated in the assault may have gang ties to Venezuela. The mayor also spoke out for the first time amid mounting criticism that most of the suspects were released even though they face charges of second-degree assault.
As the NYPD searches for seven of the suspects allegedly involved in the group assault on a police officer and a lieutenant on Jan. 27, Adams is standing by the DA's decision not to request bail for all except one of the migrants already charged in the case.
All face charges, including second-degree assault, which is a felony.
"I communicated with the DA over the weekend and he has been extremely thorough in this case," Adams said. "You can easily bring someone to justice, but you have to complete the task of making sure the evidence is right so they can be held accountable for their actions because you don't want to make a mistake in this case."
One suspect, 24-year-old Yohenry Brito, remains held on $15,000 bail for allegedly instigating the attack.
Bragg said his office has collected more video evidence that shows "some of the most culpable individuals have not yet been identified or arrested."
On Tuesday, Bragg will present more evidence to a grand jury that could lead to indictments, but he hasn't said against which suspects.
"Anyone who is a repeat offender of a violent crime should not remain on our streets, and if they are out of the migrant asylum seekers, they are found guilty, I think that the federal government should do their job of deporting that person," Adams said.
Police sources said four of the six migrants that have been charged boarded a bus for the Mexican border. Per the terms of their release, they must show up at their next court date, which is on Feb. 20.
READ MORE: Calls grow to deport migrants who attacked NYPD officers in Times Square
On Monday morning, bodega owners joined clergy members calling on the suspects to be deported.
"We will not tolerate your antics of breaking law, and we're asking for your immediate deportation," said Bishop Gerald Seabrooks, of the United Clergy Coalition.
"I don't understand how the DA could let them go without putting any bail or hold them there when they attack the NYPD," said Francisco Marte, president of the Bodega and Small Business Group. "We need to bring public safety back to New York. We, all New York, needs public safety. We need to go to work."
"Violence against NYPD officers and municipal workers doing their jobs, or any New Yorker generally, is wrong and unacceptable. It's critical that people are held accountable for committing acts of violence. We wish a speedy recovery for the officer who was injured during this incident," a spokesperson for City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams said.
Immigrant advocacy groups have been calling on the NYPD to release body camera video from the assault.
In a statement, the group Make the Road New York said, "All New Yorkers deserve due process, regardless of their zip code, race, or when they arrived here. It is deeply irresponsible for anyone to use one incident to vilify immigrant communities and try to roll-back common sense policies that have kept New Yorkers safe."
CBS New York did ask the NYPD if it would release the body camera footage, but did not hear back.
The suspect who is being held is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday.
The investigation is ongoing.