Current:Home > InvestTwitch Streamer Kai Cenat Taken Into Police Custody at Massive New York Giveaway Event -WealthRoots Academy
Twitch Streamer Kai Cenat Taken Into Police Custody at Massive New York Giveaway Event
Rekubit View
Date:2025-04-10 12:42:42
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! (8516)
Related
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- North Carolina’s highest court won’t fast-track appeals in governor’s lawsuits
- No. 10 Florida State started season with playoff hopes but got exposed by Georgia Tech
- Michigan political parties meet to nominate candidates in competitive Supreme Court races
- Sam Taylor
- Taylor Swift makes two new endorsements on Instagram. Who is she supporting now?
- Inside the Villa: Love Island USA Stars Reveal What Viewers Don’t See on TV
- Chargers players rescued from 'inoperable elevator' by Dallas Fire-Rescue
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- Where is College GameDay this week? Location, what to know for ESPN show on Week 0
Ranking
- B.A. Parker is learning the banjo
- Ella Emhoff's DNC dress was designed in collaboration with a TikToker: 'We Did It Joe!'
- Little League World Series highlights: Florida will see Chinese Taipei in championship
- NASA decides to keep 2 astronauts in space until February, nixes return on troubled Boeing capsule
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- Oklahoma teachers were told to use the Bible. There’s resistance from schools as students return
- Kylie Jenner, Chris Pratt and More Stars Celebrate Birth of Hailey and Justin Bieber's Baby Jack
- Former Alabama prosecutor found guilty of abusing position for sex
Recommendation
Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
Illinois Supreme Court upholds unconstitutionality of Democrats’ law banning slating of candidates
Takeaways from Fed Chair Powell’s speech at Jackson Hole
Meet Virgo, the Zodiac's helpful perfectionist: The sign's personality traits, months
SFO's new sensory room helps neurodivergent travelers fight flying jitters
Danny Jansen to make MLB history by playing for both Red Sox and Blue Jays in same game
Death of Connecticut man found in river may be related to flooding that killed 2 others, police say
Subway slashes footlong prices for 2 weeks; some subs will be nearly $7 cheaper