Complaint #201608200,
September 24, 2016

Summary

On September 24, 2016, at approximately 11:10 p.m., [redacted] and her friend, [redacted] were walking north on 8th Avenue in Manhattan. When they approached West 46th Street, they observed that it was closed off with barricades. However, the barricades were set back about 50 feet from the crosswalk. When a white or grey cargo van pulled onto West 46th Street, PO Anthony Sasso, of Patrol Borough Manhattan South, attempted to guide it backward and onto 8th Avenue. Pedestrians continued crossing the street behind the van despite the fact that it was backing up with PO Sasso guiding it. PO Sasso reportedly yelled at the pedestrians, and most eventually stayed on the corners of the sidewalk.
Approximately two minutes after the van had pulled onto West 46th Street, [redacted] who [redacted] described as a middle-aged Asian male with thinning black hair, entered the crosswalk. PO Sasso approached this individual, placed both hands on the man's shoulders, and shoved him to the ground near the middle of the crosswalk (Allegation A). PO Sasso resumed guiding the van out of West 46th Street while [redacted] and an unknown bystander entered the crosswalk to help the individual from the ground. PO Sasso later interacted with other members of the crowd who protested his actions, but he did not speak with the man whom he had pushed. [redacted] did not speak with PO Sasso but remained on scene until she could read his name from his shield. There were no arrests made or summonses issued in relation to this incident. Read report for details.