Mayor Adams 'Surprised' By Brooklyn Councilwoman's Arrest At Protest

BROOKLYN, NY — Mayor Eric Adams spoke on the arrest of Brooklyn councilwoman Susan Zhuang at a shelter protest during an interview on PIX11 Thursday morning.

Zhuang was arrested after she bit Deputy Chief of Patrol Frank DiGiacomo in the arm Wednesday, according to police.

The councilwoman has been charged with second and third-degree assault, resisting arrest and obstruction of governmental administration. She has pled not guilty to those charges, according to online court records.

"I hope the chief is okay. It was a pretty nasty bite in his forearm. I was a little surprised that this happened with the councilwoman. She's extremely supportive of police. These are emotional issues, and no one wants a shelter open in the area. That council district, that area, has no shelters at all," Adams said to PIX11.

The protest happened at 25th Avenue and 86th Street in Bensonhurst. Individuals were protesting a proposed men's shelter.

A spokesperson for the councilwoman said she was arrested after trying to protect an elderly woman who was being pushed against metal barriers.

"There are some communities where they have 10, 12, 13 shelters in their community. Every council district must share this crisis of migrants and asylum seekers and the homelessness crisis that we're facing. No one can be exempt. It's unfair if other areas are exempt, and I cannot allow that to happen, that we have shelters in some communities, and we don't have it in others," Adams added.

The mayor also told PIX11 that he plans on reaching out to the councilwoman at some point and come to a "resolution."

Asked if the charges brought forward were appropriate, Adams said they were and that "we have been consistent about the increase in assault on police officers."