NEW YORK, NY – New York City’s Union Square witnessed a massive gathering on Friday afternoon, as thousands of people showed up for a giveaway event hosted by social media influencers Kai Cenat and Fanum. Kai Cenat, known as the most-subscribed streamer on Twitch with over 5 million followers, had organized the event, and it quickly attracted a large crowd.
The giveaway, set to take place at 4 PM ET in Union Square Park, drew a considerable crowd well before the scheduled time. In an earlier video posted by Cenat from inside a vehicle, he displayed several PlayStation 5 consoles and a stack of $100 gift cards intended to be part of the giveaway.
However, chaos ensued when Cenat exited the vehicle, and the crowd swarmed around him and his group. The situation quickly turned unruly, leading to public safety and order concerns.
Following the incident, NYPD officials confirmed that Kai Cenat is in custody and is currently being questioned. He has been charged with at least two counts of inciting a riot. Cenat’s actions during the event have raised legal concerns, prompting authorities to take appropriate measures.
NYPD officers were then attacked after responding to the large crowd and disturbance.
Multiple individuals were charged for assault and taken to jail during the disturbance.
On Saturday, ABC News reported that Cenat, whose full name is Kai Carlos Cenat III, was issued a desk appearance ticket for the charges and was released from custody early Saturday morning. The streamer is scheduled to appear in court on August 18th, according to a police spokesperson.
The incident at Union Square Park has sparked discussions about the responsibility of social media influencers and their impact on public events.