In an unexpected turn of events, popular Twitch streamer Kai Cenat found himself in legal trouble after allegedly inciting a disturbance that led to a riot in Union Square. Cenat, known for his live broadcasts of various activities, was taken into custody but has since been released
A massive assembly of individuals gathered last Friday afternoon at New York City’s Union Square in response to a giveaway organised by two prominent social media influencers: Kai Cenat, a highly popular Twitch streamer, and another streamer known as Fanum.
In a preceding video shared by Cenat, he could be seen inside a vehicle discussing his plan to give away multiple PS5s, alongside showcasing a substantial stack of $100 gift cards. However, the video swiftly descended into pandemonium as Cenat stepped out of the vehicle, resulting in the crowd immediately swarming around him and his entourage.
Additionally, Cenat streamed on Twitch for nearly three minutes, but the stream failed to capture much due to the chaotic situation.
Subsequently, on Saturday, ABC News reported that the streamer, Kai Carlos Cenat III, had received a desk appearance ticket on charges that encompassed at least two counts of inciting a riot. He was released from custody early on Saturday morning.
According to a statement from the Associated Press, a spokesperson for the police department disclosed that Cenat is scheduled to make a court appearance on August 18th.
The lone public communication from those involved in orchestrating the event was an Instagram story shared by Kai Cenat’s AMP (Any Means Possible) group. The story conveyed an apology to all those affected by the situation and pledged full cooperation with local authorities.
An Instagram story posted by Kai Cenat’s AMP (Any Means Possible) group, saying, “We apologise to all of those impacted, and we are fully cooperating with local authorities.”
During a press conference held subsequent to the incident, Jeffrey Maddrey, the Chief of the New York City Police Department (NYPD), addressed inquiries regarding Cenat by stating, “We do have him,” without providing details regarding the precinct.
As per Maddrey’s account, the NYPD became cognizant of the online posts approximately at 1:30 PM ET, before they gained widespread attention around 3 PM.
Maddrey explained that due to instances of violence among certain individuals within the crowd, the police took action to remove Cenat from the park. Subsequently, the gathering was classified as an unlawful assembly by the authorities.
In a subsequent press briefing held on Friday, Maddrey said that Cenat would face charges for “a minimum of two counts” related to inciting a riot and unlawful assembly.
During this update, he informed journalists that a total of 65 arrests had been made, involving 30 juveniles. Maddrey also highlighted that both civilians and police officers required hospitalisation following the incident, with injuries ranging from a teenager harmed by fireworks to individuals sustaining broken bones.
Throughout Friday, both Cenat and Fanum continued to engage with social media, although their activity eventually ceased.
The offense of first-degree rioting, which involves engaging in tumultuous and violent behavior with the intent to cause public alarm and leading to injuries or property damage, can result in a maximum sentence of four years in prison and a fine of $5,000 in the state of New York.
Inciting a riot can lead to a one-year prison term and a $1,000 fine, while participating in an unlawful assembly can result in a punishment of up to three months in jail or a fine of $500.
Around 65 additional individuals were apprehended during the incident. Maddrey reported that the disorderliness resulted in harm to food carts, police vehicles, and stores. Moreover, both police officers and civilians sustained injuries as a consequence of the chaos.
