Amidst all the news from the RNC, President Joe Biden potentially dropping out of the presidential race, and more details about the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, a New York City councilwoman is accused of biting an NYPD officer at a Brooklyn homeless shelter protest. 

Councilwoman Susan Zhuang has been charged with second and third-degree assault, obstruction of governmental administration, unlawful assembly, resisting arrest, second-degree harassment, and disorderly conduct. 

WATCH:

Chaotic scene in Bensonhurst, New York as residents clashed with police during a protest against a new homeless shelter in the neighborhood.

NYC Councilwoman Susan Zhuang was arrested and charged with assault after reportedly biting the police chief.pic.twitter.com/dYAm7Qczqb

— The American Conservative (@amconmag) July 17, 2024

This incident took place after the City of New York planned to build a homeless shelter for 150 men on 86th Street. Those who oppose this idea argue that it is too close to schools, senior centers, and daycare centers.

Here is the report by WABC about the deputy chief who was bitten:

Borough Brooklyn South Deputy Chief of Patrol Frank DiGiacomo was checked out at NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn for a large bite in his arm.

Zhuang was released on her own recognizance after being arraigned in court on Wednesday; the councilwoman's spokesperson claimed she was trying to protect an 80-year-old woman who was being pushed by barriers.

The NYPD Chief of Patrol, John Chell, had this to say about the incident:

Councilwoman Zhuang has been a great partner with the NYPD for a long time. But the actions today, by assaulting one of our police officers, a deputy chief, by biting him viciously in the arm, I can't explain it right now.

Former NYC mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa is standing with Zhuang:

I was proud to stand with the people of Bensonhurst, Gravesend, and their Councilwoman Susan Zhuang and Assemblymember Lester Chang tonight. Mayor Adams has forsaken these communties, after locals demanded this all male homeless shelter NOT be built in their residential… pic.twitter.com/SguC8uipBi

— Curtis Sliwa (@CurtisSliwa) July 18, 2024

The Police Benevolent Association of the City of New York said they were appalled by what happened:

We are extremely shocked by the reported violence against NYPD members at today's protest in Brooklyn, especially because Councilmember Susan Zhuang has been a steadfast supporter of police officers during her time in the Council. There is never any excuse or justification for assaulting a police officer. There should be no double standard in this case. After a full and fair investigation, Councilmember Zhuang and anyone else involved must face full accountability for their conduct.

A spokesperson with City Hall said Mayor Eric Adams' administration will not back down from building the shelter:

The owner of this building has the proper permitting required to demolish the existing building. Every community must have the resources they need to support their most vulnerable neighbors, and this community has no shelters. Working with our nonprofit partners, we will provide robust support to help future shelter residents stabilize their lives and move into permanent housing. We maintain open lines of communication with the community and remain committed to ongoing engagement to address the neighborhoods' needs.

Opposing the opening of a homeless shelter near schools, senior centers, and daycare centers is one thing, but resorting to violence, as Zhuang did, is unacceptable. While many people have concerns about shelters being built in locations like the one Adams is proposing, they do not resort to violence, especially against law enforcement officers.