Current:Home > InvestTwitch Streamer Kai Cenat Taken Into Police Custody at Massive New York Giveaway Event -FutureFinance
Twitch Streamer Kai Cenat Taken Into Police Custody at Massive New York Giveaway Event
View
Date:2025-04-12 19:23:38
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! (54638)
Related
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- Horoscopes Today, October 9, 2023
- Swans in Florida that date to Queen Elizabeth II gift are rounded up for their annual physicals
- Kayla Nicole Shares Powerful Message Addressing Backlash Amid Ex Travis Kelce's Rumored Romance
- Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82
- US church groups, law enforcement officials in Israel struggle to stay safe and get home
- Biden to condemn Hamas brutality in attack on Israel and call out rape and torture by militants
- USPS proposes 5th postage hike since 2021 — a move critics call unprecedented
- 'Squid Game' without subtitles? Duolingo, Netflix encourage fans to learn Korean
- Amazon October Prime Day 2023: Save $120 on This KitchenAid Mixer
Ranking
- Woman dies after Singapore family of 3 gets into accident in Taiwan
- 'They bought some pretty good players': Kentucky's Mark Stoops on NIL after Georgia loss
- Hurricane Lidia takes aim at Mexico’s Puerto Vallarta resort with strengthening winds
- Mexico says it has rejected US-funded migrant transit centers
- Federal hiring is about to get the Trump treatment
- October Prime Day 2023 Deals on Tech & Amazon Devices: $80 TV, $89 AirPods & More
- Arizona Diamondbacks silence the LA Dodgers again, continuing their stunning postseason
- Hamas militants held couple hostage for 20 hours
Recommendation
Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say
Canada's autoworker union orders a strike against GM after failure to reach a new contract
Here's a hot new product: Vlasic pickles made with Frank's RedHot sauce
Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner Share Insight Into Their Co-Parenting Relationship After Custody Agreement
Grammy nominee Teddy Swims on love, growth and embracing change
Sam Bankman-Fried thought he had 5% chance of becoming president, ex-girlfriend says
Black man was not a threat to Tacoma police charged in his restraint death, eyewitness says at trial
4 Britons who were detained in Afghanistan are released by the Taliban