Live streamer Kai Cenat faces multiple counts of inciting a riot, unlawful assembly and other crimes for New York Union Square mayhem

What was supposed to be an exciting giveaway event hosted by popular livestreamer Kai Cenat turned into chaos at Manhattan’s Union Square on Friday afternoon. Thousands of people gathered, hoping to snag prizes promised by the streamer, but the situation quickly spiraled out of control, leaving the police struggling to regain order.

Aerial TV news footage captured the tense scene, showing the tightly packed crowd surging through the streets, scaling structures in the park, and causing traffic disruptions. Shouting teenagers engaged in destructive behavior, throwing objects at vehicles, and even assaulting each other. Some individuals climbed on moving vehicles, leading to dangerous situations.

By 5:30 p.m., the police managed to gain control of much of the area, but sporadic skirmishes continued. Officers faced resistance from some of the attendees who knocked over barricades, hurled bottles, and attacked law enforcement with various objects. In total, 65 people, including 30 juveniles, were arrested in connection with the incident.

Thousands of Participants Clamor for Prizes, Resulting in Riot and Injuries

Multiple injuries were reported, including three officers with one sustaining a broken hand. At least four civilians were transported by ambulances, and numerous others were seen with bloodied heads and injuries. The full extent of the injuries and conditions of those taken to the hospital have not been disclosed.

The chaos allegedly erupted after Kai Cenat, a 21-year-old video creator with millions of followers on Twitch and YouTube, promoted a giveaway at 4 p.m. in the park. People lined up as early as 1:30 p.m., eagerly anticipating items like gaming consoles and chairs.

Skylark Jones, 19, who attended the event, described the scene as chaotic, with bottles being thrown and unrest escalating even before Cenat appeared. When the streamer did arrive, accompanied by his entourage, the crowd’s excitement reached a fever pitch.

Cenat urged caution

Amid the turmoil, Cenat tried to maintain a sense of safety by urging participants to remain cautious. However, the situation soon became uncontrollable, and for his safety, Cenat was removed from the scene by the police.NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey expressed astonishment at the scale of the dangerousness exhibited during the event, stating that they had encountered such gatherings before, but never to this extent. He announced that Cenat would face multiple charges, including inciting a riot and unlawful assembly.

Businesses surrounding Union Square were forced to close their doors, and police had to use metal barricades and loudspeakers to disperse the crowd and declare the gathering unlawful.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks associated with large-scale events organized by social media influencers and the importance of maintaining public safety during such occasions. Authorities are now evaluating the security measures and how to prevent similar incidents in the future.

As investigations continue and those responsible for the violence face legal consequences, Union Square will slowly return to its usual calm, but the memory of the chaotic giveaway event will linger for some time.