A giveaway event organized by popular Twitch streamer Kai Cenat took a violent turn in New York City on Friday. Thousands of people gathered in Union Square in Manhattan after Cenat called upon his followers to attend the event and potentially win PlayStation consoles and gift cards. However, before the giveaway could even begin, the crowd became unruly and turned violent, with bottles being thrown at police officers and other members of the crowd.
Reports of the incident quickly spread on social media, with people sharing updates and expressing their concern. Authorities urged everyone to stay away from the area as the situation escalated. Crowd members tore down barricades, entered construction areas, and even attacked NYPD officers. The chaos led to injuries, damage to vehicles and property, and disrupted traffic in Manhattan.
It was later revealed that Cenat’s event had not been approved by the city in advance, and the location was only announced shortly before the event was scheduled to take place. As a result, police took Cenat into custody and were considering filing charges of incitement against him.
NYPD Chief of Department Jeff Maddrey provided details about the incident, stating that the police became aware of the crowd forming in Union Square around 1:30 p.m. Maddrey explained that the influencer’s arrival at the park caused the crowd to swarm, leading to acts of violence towards both the police and the public. Fireworks were thrown at police officers and others in the vicinity, posing a significant danger to everyone involved.
Maddrey emphasized the gravity of the situation, describing it as uncontrolled and stating that individuals were hurting each other as the chaos unfolded. The police found themselves overwhelmed and pushed, as the large crowd engaged in destructive behavior. Ultimately, around 40 people were arrested during the incident.
Cenat, who has been streaming content on Twitch since 2018, achieved significant success on the platform, becoming Twitch’s top streamer of all time in February with over 100,000 subscribers. However, the fallout from this event may have severe consequences for his standing in the streaming community.
In summary, what initially seemed like an exciting giveaway event organized by popular Twitch streamer Kai Cenat quickly turned into a chaotic and violent scene in Union Square. The unauthorized event attracted thousands of attendees who became unruly, leading to injuries, property damage, and clashes with the police. As a result, Cenat was taken into custody, and the police are considering charges against him. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of obtaining proper permits and ensuring the safety and security of such events.
