Key Points
- Cenat, 21, was named "Streamer of the Year" in 2022.
- On Thursday, Cenat said the giveaway would include computers and Playstation 5 consoles.
- Police said charges against him were possible, including inciting a riot.
Thousands of people overran New York City's Union Square and the surrounding streets on Friday in a chaotic scene after a popular live streamer announced a "giveaway" event, with police struggling to contain fans throwing projectiles and injuring officers.
The event was promoted by Kai Cenat, best known for his live streams on the gaming site Twitch and YouTube videos.
He had earlier announced a "huge giveaway" on his Instagram account at the Manhattan park.
Before the event began, footage from news choppers showed people flinging bottles and chairs, climbing onto the roof of a subway entrance, standing on top of cars and unloading a fire extinguisher.
Jeffrey Maddrey, the highest-ranking uniformed officer for the New York City Police Department, told reporters that police were questioning Cenat and that charges against him were possible, including inciting a riot.
Internet influencer Kai Cenat, centre, is helped into a New York Police vehicle near Union Square, on Friday, 4 August 2023. Source: AAP / AP
"Individuals in the park began to commit acts of violence towards the police and the public," he said at a press conference.
Kai Cenat is reportedly in police custody after a crowd of people sparked disorder in the park leading to numerous arrests. Source: Getty / Alexi J. Rosenfeld
Some people set off fireworks, while others wielded tools from a construction site, Maddrey said. It was not immediately clear what had sparked the chaos.
Video from TV news helicopters showed Cenat in a black SUV at one point, standing with his head through the moon roof, as people mobbed the vehicle. At least one person fell off the car as it drove away.
Members of the NYPD respond to disruptions caused by large crowds during a "giveaway" event hosted by popular live streamer Kai Cenat in New York City on 4 August 2023. Source: Getty / Alexi J. Rosenfeld
Cenat, 21, has 6.5 million followers on Twitch and 4 million subscribers on YouTube. He was named "Streamer of the Year" in 2022 at the Streamy Awards.
