UNITED STATES: Influencer and Twitch streamer Kai Cenat found himself under arrest for inciting a riot and unlawfully assembling crowds at New York City’s Union Square.
Cenat’s enticing promise of free PlayStations led to unruly behavior among attendees, culminating in the arrest of 65 individuals, including 30 minors, as confirmed by the NYPD.
According to Maddrey, the gathering, though attended by thousands of youngsters, was neither permitted nor sanctioned.
Rather than dispersing upon police orders, the crowd turned hostile, even prompting Maddrey to call on parents to intervene, given the presence of numerous children. The child specifically requested parents’ involvement when the situation escalated into chaos.
A 17-year-old sustained a gunshot wound that was later determined to be from a firework injury.
Chaos erupted around 3 p.m. after Cenat’s viral post gained traction. The NYPD dispatched officers to quell the unrest, but they were met with aggression, being pushed and even crushed, as reported by Maddrey.
Union Square and its vicinity were inundated with people, leading to widespread disorder. Police had to intervene in riot gear to disperse the crowd. Additionally, a group of individuals resorted to stealing tools from a construction site within Union Square.
Detained individuals being removed from a bus faced attacks from the assailants.
The police clarified that no flash-bang devices or firearms were employed during the event. The group’s behavior was characterized as lawless and unauthorized, resulting in numerous injuries. Maddrey emphasized that such unsafe gatherings, particularly involving youngsters, are unacceptable and cannot be tolerated.
Several police officers sustained injuries during the incident, with Maddrey herself being hit by multiple objects. Six individuals were transported to nearby hospitals, and many others are currently detained, with charges pending for some.
Social media evidence collected by the NYPD indicated that Cenat interacted with the crowd at Union Square before leaving.
Cenat took to Instagram to express his condolences for those impacted by the tragedy, urging everyone to prioritize safety. Amid the chaos, a mother sought refuge with her daughter in an ATM lobby, her primary concern being their protection.
Mayor Eric Adams commended the swift response of the police in regaining control of the situation. He emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of children in the wake of this unfortunate incident.
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