A gathering called by a popular online influencer in New York turned chaotic on Friday, resulting in injuries and requiring a massive police response.
The event was initiated by 21-year-old Kai Cenat, who invited his fans via Instagram to join him in lower Manhattan for a live-streamed occasion where he would distribute gifts, including PlayStation 5 game consoles.
Responding to the call, an unexpectedly large crowd of thousands of young people, estimated to be at least 2,000, rapidly congregated in and around Union Square in hopes of catching a glimpse of Cenat, a social media sensation with millions of followers on platforms like Twitch, YouTube, and Instagram.
As the crowd swelled, the situation spiraled out of control when some young men began throwing objects from a nearby construction site, targeting both fellow attendees and the police, who were quickly dispatched to the scene.
Television footage and news images depicted rioters surrounding and obstructing vehicles, with some cars being vandalized and kicked.
The aftermath of the gathering left people injured, with Chief Jeffrey Maddrey of the New York City Police stating at a press briefing that there were individuals bleeding from their heads and faces. The situation was described as uncontrolled, and many young people suffered injuries.
To disperse the impromptu gathering, a significant force of a thousand police officers was required. Authorities made several arrests, including Kai Cenat, who was taken in for questioning but had not been formally detained at that time.
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The incident serves as a cautionary tale of how social media events can quickly escalate beyond expectations, leading to potential dangers and the need for a robust police response.
