A 23-year-old man from New York City was reportedly fearful of being attacked when he discharged bear spray into a large crowd at Washington Square Park, according to police.
Dominic Sabutter, hailing from Harlem, allegedly used an 8.1-ounce container featuring a bear graphic as the crowd—estimated at around 1,000—began to gather at approximately 7:50 PM.
“I felt it was crucial to prevent more people from entering; it got really crowded,” Detective Director Joseph Kenney explained to the media on Monday. “They allowed people to leave the park, but no one could enter. At one point, the officers knew there was an issue.”
Sabutter supposedly utilized the bear spray as a “deterrent” to keep the crowd at bay.
E.M.S. treated 47 individuals on-site while four others were transported to Bellevue Hospital and were reported to be stable. It’s uncertain how many injuries came directly from the spray versus those caused by the ensuing chaos. However, authorities do not expect any of the injuries to be life-threatening.
Moreover, twelve officers exposed to the bear spray received treatment at Northwell Greenwich Village Hospital. “The officers arrived and were immediately met with an irritating orange substance, causing eye irritation and breathing difficulties,” Kenny added. “As a result, twelve officers required hospitalization for various issues, including their eyes and throats.”
A photographer present remarked on the chaos, stating, “People are throwing up everywhere,” and noted that police appeared particularly affected by the spray.
Another witness expressed fear, saying they didn’t initially know what the spray was, adding that some individuals suffered asthma attacks. “It felt like a chemical attack,” they described.
Sabutter was arrested at the scene and charged with multiple offenses, including assault and reckless endangerment, as well as obstructing government administration, intimidation, possession of a weapon, and illegal possession of harmful substances. His arrest status was still pending as of Monday afternoon.
This incident isn’t his first encounter with law enforcement; he had previously been arrested back in October 2021 for an assault where he allegedly struck a victim through their car window with a cell phone.
The circumstances surrounding his release remain unclear.
Following the chaos, the atmosphere surrounding the Pride Festival unfolded for over two hours, including an incident at the historic Stonewall Inn where a 17-year-old girl was injured in a shooting. Two additional teenage girls were also affected by the turmoil, according to police reports.
