Massive Giveaway Event in NYC Turns Chaotic: Twitch Streamer Arrested

On a sunny Friday afternoon, New York City’s Union Square became the epicenter of excitement as thousands of people gathered for a highly anticipated giveaway event. The event was organized by two social media influencers, the mega-popular Twitch streamer Kai Cenat and another streamer known as Fanum.

However, what was supposed to be a fun-filled day quickly turned into chaos. According to NBC 4, Cenat and “a few other people” were arrested amidst the commotion. NYPD chief of department Jeffrey Maddrey confirmed the arrest during a press conference, stating, “we do have him,” although he did not disclose the exact location of Cenat’s detainment.

The NYPD had been alerted to the situation earlier in the day when they became aware of the viral posts promoting the event. As the crowd grew increasingly unruly, the police intervened and declared the gathering an unlawful assembly, leading to Cenat’s removal from the park.

Maddrey later revealed that Cenat is expected to face charges of inciting a riot and unlawful assembly. The aftermath of the event saw a total of 65 arrests, including 30 juveniles. Additionally, several individuals, both civilians and police officers, were hospitalized due to injuries sustained during the chaotic scene.

The impact of the gathering even affected public transportation, with some subway trains bypassing Union Square. However, the NYCT Subway account later confirmed that the L train was still making stops at the station.

Kai Cenat, known as the most-subscribed streamer on Twitch, had planned to hold the giveaway at Union Square Park. The park was already filled with eager participants by 3PM, an hour before the scheduled start time. Cenat shared a brief livestream on Twitch, capturing the energetic atmosphere of the crowd.

Despite the events that unfolded, both Cenat and Fanum continued to engage with their followers on social media. They shared and deleted images on their Instagram stories, expressing gratitude for their fans’ support and urging everyone to stay safe.

Prior to the chaos, Cenat had posted a video showcasing the prizes he intended to give away, including multiple PS5s and a stack of $100 gift cards. However, as soon as he stepped out of his vehicle, the situation quickly spiraled out of control, with the crowd swarming around him and his group.

The NYPD held a press conference to provide further details about the incident and released a video showing Cenat being removed from the chaotic scene.

As the dust settles on this unexpected turn of events, it serves as a reminder of the immense influence and popularity of social media influencers. It also highlights the importance of maintaining order and safety during large-scale public gatherings.