Influencer and Twitch streamer Kai Cenat has been charged with inciting a riot and unlawful assembly after thousands of people gathered in Union Square in New York City on Friday afternoon, according to the police. Cenat, who promised free PlayStations, sparked chaos and a massive police response.
Cenat was issued a desk appearance ticket for the charges, including a felony charge of riot in the first degree causing public injury or damage. He was released from custody on Saturday morning.
During a Friday evening briefing, Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey stated that the NYPD made 65 arrests, with 30 of those arrested being juveniles. The event was “unpermitted” and “not sanctioned,” growing rapidly to thousands of young people who attacked officers instead of complying with orders to leave. Maddrey urged parents to step in and take control.
Maddrey also mentioned that a 17-year-old was initially believed to have suffered a gunshot wound but it turned out to be a firework injury.
The NYPD officers arrived in large numbers to try to control the situation, but they soon found themselves under attack after Cenat’s post went viral around 3 p.m. The massive crowd caused overcrowding in the park and surrounding streets, with people running through the streets and jumping on cars and a city bus. Some individuals also took objects from a construction site, including plywood, shovels, and axes.
Police had to show up in riot gear to disperse the crowd. A bus holding people in custody was attacked by others attempting to pull individuals off the bus. Fireworks were set off in the crowd, resulting in smoke and noise, but the police stated that they did not use any flash-bang devices and no shots were fired.
Maddrey described the gathering as an “unlawful assembly” and “uncontrolled,” emphasizing that while they are not against young people having a good time and gathering, it cannot reach a dangerous level like this. Several officers sustained injuries during the incident, and six people were transported to area hospitals, according to the FDNY.
Cenat’s AMP group issued a written statement on Saturday, expressing their deep disheartenment by the outbreak of disorderly conduct and apologizing to all those impacted. They stated that their intention was to create a positive experience for fans but had never experienced anything on the scale of what took place.
NYPD has recovered evidence from social media showing that Cenat was interacting with the large crowd before leaving Union Square. Cenat himself posted on Instagram, urging people to be safe and expressing his love for his fans.
A woman who was shopping in the area with her baby took shelter in an ATM lobby during the chaos, describing the scene as hectic and her only concern being the safety of her daughter.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams thanked the police for their quick work in controlling the situation and emphasized the importance of safety on the streets.
An NYPD official stated that they believe Cenat intended to distribute a handful of PlayStation 5s, and the event would have turned out differently had he notified the department ahead of time.
How did the chaos resulting from Cenat’s social media promotion benefit individuals looking to commit acts of vandalism and theft?
Advantage of the chaos to commit acts of vandalism and theft.
Cenat, who has a large following on Twitch and social media, had promised free PlayStations as an incentive for people to gather in Union Square. However, the event quickly escalated into a riot, with thousands of people showing up and causing mayhem.
The police were called in to disperse the crowd and restore order, but they were met with resistance from the attendees. Chief Maddrey reported that 65 arrests were made, with 30 of those being juveniles. He emphasized that the event was unauthorized and urged parents to intervene and take responsibility for their children’s actions.
During the chaos, there were reports of a 17-year-old sustaining a gunshot wound. However, it was later discovered that the injury was caused by a firework.
Cenat has been charged with inciting a riot and unlawful assembly, including a felony charge for riot in the first degree causing public injury or damage. He was released from custody on Saturday morning but will have to appear in court for his charges.
The incident serves as a reminder of the power and influence that social media influencers can have, and the potential consequences when their actions lead to unlawful behavior.
Oh no, this is terrible! I hope everyone affected by the chaos is safe.
This is outrageous! Inciting violence is never acceptable. Kai Cenat should be held accountable for their actions.