A highly anticipated game console giveaway organized by popular Twitch streamer and content creator Kai Cenat turned chaotic in Manhattan’s Union Square, resulting in 65 arrests and several injuries. Thousands of people had gathered for the event, which promised to include giveaways of PlayStation 5 consoles and a computer for livestreaming.
However, the scene quickly escalated into mayhem, as video footage captured people hurling objects, engaging in physical altercations, and scaling structures in the park. Barriers were pushed over, and some individuals were seen running through the streets and climbing on top of a moving car. The situation became increasingly dangerous, leading to injuries, including a police officer who broke their hand, and four people being taken away in ambulances.
Detectives are planning to charge Kai Cenat with inciting a riot, and he was removed from the event for his own safety after displaying gift cards he intended to give away from his vehicle. The influencer, who boasts millions of followers on various social media platforms, including 6.5 million on Twitch, promoted the event with an image on Twitter.
More than 1,000 officers were dispatched to the scene, and NYPD Chief Jeffrey Maddrey remarked that they had encountered similar situations in the past, but this event reached an unprecedented level of dangerousness. Maddrey emphasized that while they support young people gathering and having fun, it cannot escalate to such hazardous levels, causing harm to participants and bystanders.
As a consequence of the situation, many subway trains avoided stopping at Union Square in both directions. The incident highlights the potential risks associated with large-scale gatherings and the importance of ensuring public safety during such events.
