Kai Cenat, a popular social media influencer and Twitch streamer with millions of followers on YouTube, Instagram, and Twitch, found himself in hot water after a massive giveaway event in New York City’s Union Square turned chaotic. The event, which was announced during a Twitch stream on Wednesday, promised a “huge giveaway” featuring various prizes, including computers, Play Station 5s, microphones, keyboards, webcams, gaming chairs, headphones, and gift cards.
As word spread, crowds started to gather in Union Square as early as 3 p.m., leading to a significant disruption of vehicular and pedestrian traffic. NYPD chief Jeffrey Maddrey revealed that what began as a gathering of around 300 people quickly escalated to a few thousand, prompting the police to activate a “Level 4” disaster response, the highest level of mobilization.
Things took a dangerous turn as some attendees began engaging in acts of violence towards both the police and the public. Reports indicated that individuals took items from a nearby construction site, including tools like shovels and axes. Fireworks were also thrown in the direction of the police and each other, adding to the chaos.
In response to the escalating situation, Kai Cenat was removed by the police for safety reasons. It was later revealed that he had not informed the authorities of the gathering or obtained the necessary permits, leading to the event being declared an unlawful assembly.
The disorderly crowds resulted in numerous injuries to both police officers and attendees, with several people being arrested as the police worked to disperse the crowd. Parents were seen searching for their children amidst the chaos, and Maddrey expressed the wish that more parents had come to help break up the unruly gathering.
As of the latest update, 65 people, including 30 juveniles, have been arrested, and Cenat himself has been charged with two counts of inciting a riot and unlawful assembly, among other charges.
In an attempt to address the situation, Maddrey stated that while gatherings and events are not discouraged, proper communication with law enforcement is essential to ensure the safety of everyone involved. This allows authorities to set up necessary barriers and deploy additional officers when needed.
Kai Cenat’s giveaway event, meant to be a fun and engaging experience for his followers, quickly turned into a dangerous and chaotic situation. As authorities continue to monitor the situation in Manhattan, it serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible event planning and communication with law enforcement to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
Source : CNN
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