A giveaway announced by popular livestreamer Kai Cenat drew thousands of fans to Union Square in Manhattan and quickly escalated into disorder, prompting a heavy police response.
There were no barriers, designated entry points, or stewards on site to manage flow or defuse tensions. Fireworks were later set off, and some individuals were reported to have used construction tools as weapons.
Buses and cars were surrounded, blocked, and damaged before police moved in with riot gear, making arrests and dispersing the crowd.
The police reportedly said that they witnessed people bleeding, as well as having panic attacks.
Who is Kai Cenat?
Kai Cenat is a 21-year-old livestreamer with millions of followers across Twitch and YouTube, with over 6.5 million followers on the former, with the latter amassing hundreds of millions of views.
He regularly broadcasts gaming, pranks, and lifestyle content to a young global audience and won Streamer of the Year at the 13th Streamy Awards Service in 2023.
Cenat famously duped his audience by convincing them he had set off fireworks in his bedroom alongside Mr Beast, but in fact it was filmed on a replica set.
Why did the riot happen?
With regard to the chaos at his New York event, there's no indication he told fans to riot, fight police, or ignore safety protocols. However, his brand thrives on escalation, surprise, and “anything can happen” moments.
Attendees had expected free gaming consoles, gift cards, and an in-person appearance. But the event had no crowd cap, registration, or ticketing, meaning large numbers arrived at the same time.
Cenat is so popular that his fans often build parasocial relationships with him in an online economy where there is little perceived hierarchy.
And there were early signs that disorder was looming, as an estimated 5000-6000 fans poured into Union Square. The influencer started broadcasting his Twitch stream from a van as he tried to calm fans down.
The incident shows the struggle between running a spontaneous live giveaway (where fans might even hope to pick up a console) and implementing responsible crowd control.
Unlock more exclusive Cybernews content on YouTube.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are markedmarked