Current:Home > MarketsTwitch Streamer Kai Cenat Taken Into Police Custody at Massive New York Giveaway Event -Insightful Finance Hub
Twitch Streamer Kai Cenat Taken Into Police Custody at Massive New York Giveaway Event
View
Date:2025-04-13 16:10:25
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! (8724)
Related
- The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
- UConn's Dan Hurley is the perfect sports heel. So Kentucky job would be a perfect fit.
- Out of the darkness: Babies born and couples tie the knot during total eclipse of 2024
- Nate Oats shuts down Kentucky rumors. 'I am fully committed' to Alabama
- The Grammy nominee you need to hear: Esperanza Spalding
- A man accused of setting a fire outside Bernie Sanders’ office stayed at an area hotel for weeks
- Spring is hummingbird migration season: Interactive map shows where they will be
- James and Jennifer Crumbley, parents of Michigan shooter, to be sentenced today
- Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
- Georgia prosecutor promises charges against driver who ran over 4-year-old girl after police decline
Ranking
- FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
- Renée Zellweger and Hugh Grant Returning for Another Bridget Jones Movie
- Beyoncé’s Daughter Rumi, 6, Breaks Musical Record Held by Sister Blue Ivy
- Senate candidate from New Jersey mocked for linking Friday's earthquake to climate change
- Can Bill Belichick turn North Carolina into a winner? At 72, he's chasing one last high
- Tennessee grandmother Amy Brasher charged in 3-year-old's death the day after Christmas
- UConn vs Purdue live updates: Predictions, picks, national championship odds, how to watch
- Connecticut joins elite group of best men's NCAA national champs. Who else is on the list?
Recommendation
Federal hiring is about to get the Trump treatment
Concessions are ridiculously cheap at the Masters. But beer will cost a little more this year
Watch rare pink volcanic vortex bubbles spew out of Italy's Mount Etna
NAIA, small colleges association, approves ban on trans athletes from women's sports
Current, future North Carolina governor’s challenge of power
4 candidates run in special election for Georgia House seat in Columbus area
Rihanna Reveals the True Timeline She and A$AP Rocky Began Their Romance
South Carolina-Iowa women's national championship basketball game broke betting records