Hours after being detained by police on charges of “inciting a riot,” Kai Cenat has been issued a desk appearance ticket. If Cenat fails to appear in court, a warrant may be issued for his arrest. The popular Twitch personality was arrested after his back-to-school fan giveaway spiraled out of control in Manhattan’s Union Square.
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Prominent Twitch streamer and YouTube personality Kai Cenat was detained in New York City on Friday, August 4th, after a fan giveaway event organized by the influencer turned into a riot. Thousands of excited fans showed up in Manhattan’s Union Square, causing chaos and wreaking havoc in the streets.
Now, the NYPD is charging Cenat with multiple counts, including inciting a riot and unlawful assembly.
According to reports, Cenat’s fan giveaway, which he announced on his Instagram story, led to an overwhelming number of fans flocking to Union Square with the hopes of receiving prizes such as computers or PlayStations. The event quickly spiraled out of control, with some attendees climbing on vehicles, flinging chairs, and engaging in physical altercations.
Reports stated that teenagers shouted, swung objects at car windows, threw paint cans, and set off fire extinguishers. Some even climbed atop city buses, causing disruptions and spreading chaos throughout the city.
Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey of the NYPD described the situation as “uncontrolled” and stated that it took a while for the police to regain control. Several individuals, including officers, suffered injuries during the mayhem.
The giveaway event was deemed “unpermitted” and “not sanctioned,” growing rapidly to include thousands of young people. Instead of complying with orders to disperse, reports state some attendees attacked officers, leading the NYPD to call for parental assistance. At least 65 arrests were made, including 30 juveniles.
Cenat’s arrest has sparked outrage from fans and artists who defended the popular influencer for doing a good deed for his fans. Among them is Memphis rapper NLE Choppa spoke out on behalf of Kai Cenat.
“Y’all don’t even charge the KKK When they do that negative shit but charge a successful black man for giving back. The system so designed for us to fail it don’t make sense !”
NLE Choppa, Twitter
Y’all don’t even charge the KKK When they do that negative shit but charge a successful black man for giving back. The system so designed for us to fail it don’t make sense ! https://t.co/gy3AfjXtu8
— NLE Choppa (@Nlechoppa1) August 5, 2023
Hip-hop artist Offset questioned the decision, stating that Cenat was simply doing a good deed for his supporters. He posted “How you lock Kai up for giving back to his fans… New York be trippin!!!”
In an unrelated incident of influencers in trouble, social media personality Benjamin Best is facing grave legal consequences. Best recently confessed on Instagram to his involvement in the tragic murder of personality and model Augusta Osedion.
