Current:Home > InvestTwitch Streamer Kai Cenat Taken Into Police Custody at Massive New York Giveaway Event -EliteFunds
Twitch Streamer Kai Cenat Taken Into Police Custody at Massive New York Giveaway Event
View
Date:2025-04-15 19:04:40
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! (212)
Related
- Romantasy reigns on spicy BookTok: Recommendations from the internet’s favorite genre
- Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy to End Michael Oher Conservatorship Amid Lawsuit
- Tampa Bay Rays' Luke Raley hits unique inside-the-park HR, ball bounces off top of wall
- Sex abuse scandal at Northern California women's prison spurs lawsuit vs. feds
- Can Bill Belichick turn North Carolina into a winner? At 72, he's chasing one last high
- Dozens of Senegalese migrants are dead or missing after their boat is rescued with 38 survivors
- Former Northwestern athletes send letter defending school’s athletic culture
- Sam Asghari Responds to Claim He’s Threatening to Exploit Britney Spears Amid Divorce
- Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
- Brazilian hacker claims Bolsonaro asked him to hack into the voting system ahead of 2022 vote
Ranking
- Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital
- Over 1.5 million dehumidifiers are under recall after fire reports. Here’s what you need to know
- A Nigerian forest and its animals are under threat. Poachers have become rangers to protect both
- Apple agrees to pay up to $500 million in settlement over slowed-down iPhones: What to know
- Trump's 'stop
- 'Blue Beetle' review: Xolo Mariduena's dazzling Latino superhero brings new life to DC
- Sam Asghari Breaks Silence on Britney Spears Divorce
- Microsoft exec Jared Bridegan's ex, Shanna Gardner, is now charged in plot to murder him
Recommendation
Working Well: When holidays present rude customers, taking breaks and the high road preserve peace
District attorney drops at least 30 cases that involved officers charged in death of Tyre Nichols
Vlatko Andonovski out as USWNT coach after historical failure at World Cup
Judge who signed Kansas newspaper search warrant had 2 DUI arrests, reports say
Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
Niger’s neighbors running out of options as defense chiefs meet to discuss potential military force
Judge rules Florida law banning some Chinese property purchases can be enforced
Sam Asghari Files for Divorce From Britney Spears