Current:Home > FinanceTwitch Streamer Kai Cenat Taken Into Police Custody at Massive New York Giveaway Event -Capitatum
Twitch Streamer Kai Cenat Taken Into Police Custody at Massive New York Giveaway Event
View
Date:2025-04-13 22:03:33
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! (71)
Related
- Judge says Mexican ex-official tried to bribe inmates in a bid for new US drug trial
- Woman killed in shark attack while swimming with young daughter off Mexico's Pacific coast
- George Santos is offering personalized videos for $200
- More than $980K raised for Palestinian student paralyzed after being shot in Vermont
- Tropical weather brings record rainfall. Experts share how to stay safe in floods.
- At least 6 people have died as heavy rains from Tropical Cyclone Michaung hit India’s coasts
- AI’s future could be ‘open-source’ or closed. Tech giants are divided as they lobby regulators
- Supreme Court to hear major case that could upend tax code and doom wealth tax proposals
- Rolling Loud 2024: Lineup, how to stream the world's largest hip hop music festival
- Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore Deserve an Award for This Iconic Housewives Reenactment
Ranking
- Eva Mendes Shares Message of Gratitude to Olympics for Keeping Her and Ryan Gosling's Kids Private
- Magnitude 5.1 earthquake felt widely across Big Island of Hawaii; no damage or risk of tsunami
- Grassroots college networks distribute emergency contraceptives on campus
- Indiana man's ripped-up $50,000 Powerball ticket honored while woman loses her $500 prize
- Kourtney Kardashian Cradles 9-Month-Old Son Rocky in New Photo
- American tourist killed in shark attack in Bahamas, police say
- White House warns Congress on Ukraine aid: We are out of money — and nearly out of time
- U.S. assisting Israel to find intelligence gaps prior to Oct. 7 attack, Rep. Mike Turner says
Recommendation
Audit: California risked millions in homelessness funds due to poor anti-fraud protections
Bitcoin has surpassed $41,000 for the first time since April 2022. What’s behind the price surge?
Jonathan Taylor Thomas and More Child Stars All Grown Up Will Have You Feeling Nostalgic AF
Where do the 2023 New England Patriots rank among worst scoring offenses in NFL history?
Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
Gerry Fraley wins BBWAA Career Excellence Award, top honor for baseball writers
A long-lost piece of country music history is found
French lawmakers approve bill to ban disposable e-cigarettes to protect youth drawn to their flavors