YouTube and Twitch personality Kai Cenat is reportedly in police custody after a riot broke out in New York City’s Union Square during a scheduled giveaway of Playstation 5s.
Shocking photos and videos show thousands of people gathered, with some fighting and others throwing fire extinguishers at each other in downtown Manhattan.
At least 12 people have been injured, cops told DailyMail.com. Multiple NYPD officers were on the scene trying to disperse the crowd as of 5pm.
The NYPD has warned of mass transit disruptions and traffic delays; they estimated about 2,000 people showed up for the giveaway.
Cenat, who is one of the most popular streamers on Twitch and has 5.5million followers on Instagram, had announced a giveaway on the platform with fellow streamer Fanum scheduled for 4pm.
A riot has broken out at New York City ‘s Union Square sparked by YouTuber Kai Cenat handing out free Playstation 5s
Kai Cenat, 21, is one of the most popular streamers on Twitch and has 5.5million followers on Instagram
Some young adults climbed on top of the roof covering the entrance to the Union Square subway station
Video game streamer Fanum was also part of the giveaway
Shortly before the riot erupted, Cenat, 21, posted an image saying, ‘on the way.’
The city’s official notification system has said to avoid the area, and trains are not stopping at the busy Union Street station.
Several people have been arrested, but the NYPD has not said how many.
Numerous people could be seen in hand restraints, sitting on the sidewalks. Police were forming lines in the street, trying to direct the crowd, which periodically broke out in a run.
The NYPD echoed the statement, tweeting: ‘Due to police activity, avoid the area surrounding Union Square Park & use alternate routes. Expect a police presence in the area and residual traffic delays.’
People were seen throwing objects and tearing at construction barricades.
Some young adults even climbed on top of the roof covering the entrance to the Union Square subway station.
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A group let off firecrackers in one section of Union Square Park as arrests were being made which prompted panic and false rumors that a shooting had occurred.
Others pounded on the side of a city bus. People could be seen climbing on top of another bus and jumping up and down.
At least one person was seen setting off a fire extinguisher.
Cenat could be seen emerging from a SUV worming its way through the crowd and directing his followers to a nearby truck with a see through back that contained boxes labeled PS5.
Half of the crowd followed the truck, the other half continued to follow the social media star. When the car got to 17th street, it picked up speed and drove away from the scene.
The streamers reacted to the wild scene on a live stream that seems them reveling in the crowd. Cenat (left) said ‘Everybody for themselves, it’s a war out there man’
Cenat had announced a giveaway on Instagram before the riot erupted on Friday
Hundreds of people gathered at Union Square, with some throwing fire extinguishers at each other
Cops were forced to hold up pieces of plywood and take cover behind cars as people threw objects at them, according to Eyewitness News.
The content creators reacted to the wild scene on a live stream that seems them reveling in the crowd.
‘Look at this!’ Cenat said as he showed a picture of the crowd to the camera. ‘They standing like in f*****g unity, bro.’
He added: ‘Everybody for themselves, it’s a war out there man.’
A video posted online showed about a dozen people jumping on top of Cenat’s car, before one fell off.
Cenat had said items such as Gaming PCs, gift cards, Gaming Chairs and other gaming essentials would be given out for free.
This is a developing story
At least 12 people have been injured, cops told DailyMail.com
The NYPD has warned of mass disruption to transport
