Eight Sought in Influencer Riot Violence

CAUGHT ON VIDEO - Suspects Trash NYPD Car During Kai Cenat PS5 Giveaway

Police are searching for eight people in connection with the trashing of a police vehicle during the Union Square Riot. -Photo by NYPD


By Dan Gesslein

Manhattan Voice

August 7, 2023


NEW YORK - Police are searching for the people who danced and stomped on top of cars and kicked in vehicles during the Union Square riot on Friday that took place when an influencer promised to hand out free PS5 video game consoles. Among the vehicles trashed was a cop car, officials said. 



Police released photos from the scores of video taken during Friday’s wild scene in which some 2,000 people swarmed Union Square in the hope of getting a free PS5 during a giveaway set up by influencer Kai Cenat. Cops said the 21-year-old social media sensation did not have a permit for the giveaway. 


Police said eight people had kicked an NYPD vehicle as well as danced and stomped on the roof causing damage. The police vehicle was parked in the vicinity of East 14th Street and Union Square East. During the August 4 melee, teens were recorded kicking in the squad car doors and windows. 


Investigators said the suspects are between the ages of 14 and 18.





So far 66 people have been arrested in the influencer riot. Video from news crews and cell phone witnesses documented people destroying construction equipment in the park; stomping on cars; wrecking a hot dog stand as well as stomping on restaurant sheds; setting off fireworks in a crowd; climbing on cars and blocking traffic during the Friday Rush Hour event. 


Cenat was charged with inciting a riot and unlawful assembly. He was given a desk-appearance ticket.



 


Cenat’s PR firm issued a statement in response to the melee: "We are deeply disheartened by the outbreak of disorderly conduct that affected innocent people and businesses, and do not condone that behavior.


“We apologize to all of those impacted. We are fully cooperating with local authorities."


Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the CrimeStoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/ or on Twitter @NYPDTips. 


All calls are strictly confidential.

Location: Union Square, New York, NY 10003, USA

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