New York City Council member arrested, accused of biting police officer

NEW YORK — A New York City councilman was arrested Wednesday and accused of biting a police officer.

Susan Zhuang, a Democrat from Brooklyn, was arrested during a chaotic protest against the construction of a new homeless shelter in her district, police said.

Images and videos posted to social media showed police clashing with protesters at the planned site of a homeless shelter. In one video, a woman who appears to be Zhuang is seen with other protesters trying to wrestle a barricade away from police as an officer attempts to handcuff her. Another video appears to show Zhuang being led away in handcuffs by police.

Police, citing an arrest report, said Zhuang blocked officers from getting to a woman on the ground, and that Zhuang pushed officers and eventually bit one officer when the officer tried to grab her. Zhuang is charged with assault, resisting arrest and obstruction, a police spokesman said.

Zhuang’s office declined to comment.

Zhuang posted a video on social media site X early Wednesday morning that appears to show her at the construction site, arguing with a police officer, with the caption: “There are no permits. The mayor’s office gave permission for construction in our neighborhood at 5am.”

A spokesman for the Brooklyn district attorney said Zhuang had not been charged as of Wednesday afternoon.