Kai Cenat will face charges of inciting a riot after chaotic New York giveaway, NYPD says
Kai Cenat — a popular online video creator — was released from police custody Saturday and will face charges of inciting a riot, New York City officials said as they released more details about a chaotic Friday giveaway gone wrong in Manhattan.
Cenat had announced on social media he would be doing a giveaway at New York's Union Square, and thousands of people showed up in a scene that soon turned chaotic on Friday. Some young people later said they came expecting a new computer or PlayStation.
Cenat after being issued a desk appearance ticket, which police issue to require a suspect to appear in court to answer charges. A police spokesperson said a court date is set for Aug. 18.
On Friday, thousands of young people gathered following the announcement and some people climbed on top of cars and other structures, obstructing traffic in the area, leaving police struggling to control the crowds.
"The power of social media and the danger of social media" caused the crowd to swell and get out of hand in a matter of "minutes" Friday afternoon, NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey said Friday at a press conference.
Cenat live-streamed from a vehicle Friday, displaying gift cards he planned to give away. Noting the crowd and police presence, he urged, “Everybody who’s out there, make sure y’all safe. ... We’re not gonna do nothin’ until it’s safe.”
A number of people were injured, including at least four people taken away in ambulances, said Maddrey, adding that he saw other people leaving the area with bloodied heads.
Police arrested 65 people, including 30 juveniles, authorities said. The gathering was not a permitted or sanctioned event, police said Friday.
Photos and video footage show dozens of people in handcuffs standing on Manhattan sidewalks, being escorted by police. Most of the people in the crowd Friday afternoon appeared to be young men.
When did the crowd gather in Union Square?
On his Instagram feed, Cenat had promoted a giveaway on Friday at 4 p.m. People started lining up as early as 1:30 p.m. By 3 p.m., the crowd had swelled to thousands and was getting unruly.
"This event grew exponentially, rapidly, fast," Maddrey said.
Police set up barricades to try to control the crowd, photos show, and some also used shields to form a line to try to move in on crowds of people. Police also set off a smoke bomb in Union Square, causing people to disperse.
The unruly crowd destroyed police vehicles and food vendor carts, police said Friday.
Who is Kai Cenat?
Cenat is a 21-year-old online star from the Bronx known for his posts on Twitch and YouTube, both video platforms.
He has received recognition from YouTube for the large number of followers he has amassed, according to his Instagram account.
In some videos online, Cenat shows his millions of followers how he carries out pranks and practical jokes, like pretending to be a hibachi chef at a Benihana restaurant.
Some feel-good videos created by Cenat include a video where he shares that he bought his mother a house, and another video where he surprises NBA star Kyrie Irving.
Cenat is also known for creating music and has released two rap singles, "Bustdown Rollie Avalanche" and "Dogs." In 2022, he appeared in a music video from rapper Lil Uzi Vert, "Just Wanna Rock."
Contributing: Associated Press