Current:Home > MarketsTwitch Streamer Kai Cenat Taken Into Police Custody at Massive New York Giveaway Event -SecureNest Finance
Twitch Streamer Kai Cenat Taken Into Police Custody at Massive New York Giveaway Event
View
Date:2025-04-16 19:18:54
A Twitch streamer is facing legal trouble after his New York City giveaway event derailed into chaos.
Kai Cenat, who promised to gift video game consoles and other electronic devices to fans, was taken into police custody on Aug. 4 after a massive crowd formed in Manhattan's Union Square and pandemonium broke out, according to NBC News. The event attracted a "couple thousand people," police told NBC New York.
Cenat has not been charged for the incident.
However, the New York Police Department said in a press conference that, depending on its legal department's guidance, Cenat could be charged with inciting a riot. E! News has reached out to Cenat's rep for comment but hasn't heard back.
Cenat, 21, announced the giveaway on Aug. 2 on his Twitch social media page, where he has over six million followers. In the clip, which has amassed over two million views, Cenat said that he and a group of friends would drive to the park "in a big ass truck" to distribute PlayStation 5, PCs, headphones and more.
On the day of the event, Cenat filmed himself in a vehicle heading toward Union Square, holding up a stack of gift cards to the camera. However, upon peeking outside the car's windows and being told of the gathering crowd in the area, the influencer issued a warning to those watching on Twitch.
"I'm telling you, it's a lot of y'all out there right now," he said. "Everybody who is out there, make sure y'all are safe…We're gonna make sure this is safe. We not gonna do nothing until it's safe. We gotta make sure it's safe, everybody's good."
As he pulled up closer to the park, Cenat told followers to look out for themselves.
"I know y'all here with me, but what goes on from here on out, everybody for themselves," he said. "It's a war out there, man."
The camera filmed Cenat being pushed along the flow of the crowd, before the video eventually went blurry and offline. Once the video feed picked up back again, Cenat could be heard yelling to the crowd, "Be quiet. Hold on. Let's go over there. Y'all gotta make some space," before the video went dark again.
The NYPD said the giveaway was not coordinated with authorities, and that people sustained injuries due to the crowd. Police said a city bus full of people were arrested from the event.
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (9214)
Related
- See you latte: Starbucks plans to cut 30% of its menu
- 'I put my foot in my mouth': Commanders coach Ron Rivera walks back comments on Eric Bieniemy
- North Korean leader Kim calls for his military to sharpen war plans as his rivals prepare drills
- Robbie Robertson, lead guitarist and songwriter of The Band, dies at 80
- New Mexico governor seeks funding to recycle fracking water, expand preschool, treat mental health
- Top Louisiana doctor leaving state over anti-LGBTQ legislation: Why would you want to stay?
- The FAA, lacking enough air traffic controllers, will extend limits on New York City-area flights
- As U.S. swelters under extreme heat, how will the temperatures affect students?
- Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
- Horoscopes Today, August 9, 2023
Ranking
- Selena Gomez's "Weird Uncles" Steve Martin and Martin Short React to Her Engagement
- He worried about providing for his family when he went blind. Now he's got a whole new career.
- Retired Col. Paris Davis, Medal of Honor recipient, receives long-overdue recognition
- Subway offered free subs for life if you changed your name to 'Subway'. 10,000 people volunteered.
- DeepSeek: Did a little known Chinese startup cause a 'Sputnik moment' for AI?
- Ex-Georgia man sought in alleged misuse of millions of Christian ministry donations
- UConn star Paige Bueckers 'all cleared' to return from ACL injury
- Major gun safety groups come together to endorse Joe Biden for president in 2024
Recommendation
Intel's stock did something it hasn't done since 2022
LGBTQ+ veterans file civil rights suit against Pentagon over discriminatory discharges
Michael Lorenzen throws 14th no-hitter in Phillies history in 7-0 victory over Nationals
Robbie Robertson, The Band's lead guitarist and primary songwriter, dies at 80
Questlove charts 50 years of SNL musical hits (and misses)
Lawsuit says Tennessee’s US House and state Senate maps discriminate against communities of color
Horoscopes Today, August 9, 2023
State ordered to release documents in Whitmer kidnap plot case