The New York City Police Department (NYPD) has released four new images and is seeking the public's assistance in identifying additional suspects involved in a large-scale riot that took place in Manhattan's Union Square.
The incident occurred after Twitch influencer Kai Cenat advertised an unsanctioned PlayStation giveaway, attracting thousands of teenagers to the area.
According to NYPD Crime Stoppers, the individuals depicted in the released photos are wanted for criminal mischief. The suspects allegedly caused damage to parked vehicles in the vicinity of 14th St. and Union Square East on Friday at around 3:50 p.m.
Reports indicate that the suspects kicked and jumped on the vehicles, resulting in significant damage. The chaotic scene captured in the photos shows teenagers dressed predominantly in black attire, with some seen pouncing on top of a car.
One individual, whose face is concealed by a mask, appears to be assuming a fighting stance, while others record the scene on their cell phones. The NYPD is urging anyone with information to contact them at 800-577-TIPS or visit http://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org. A reward of up to $3,500 is being offered for information leading to the identification and apprehension of the suspects.
In addition to the four images released on Sunday, the NYPD has also shared additional photos of six out of eight suspects, described as "baby-faced," believed to be between the ages of 14 and 18. These individuals are wanted for allegedly kicking, jumping, and dancing on top of a parked NYPD vehicle during the riot.
The police have not yet responded to requests for further information about the alleged involvement of "outside agitators," a term used by New York City Mayor Eric Adams during a press conference on Saturday. Mayor Adams suggested that there may have been external influences attempting to exacerbate the situation, stating, "You don't come to get free Game Boys and bring smoke bombs and bring M-80s and bring other disruptive items." The NYPD is currently investigating this possibility.
Kai Cenat, a 21-year-old social media influencer with a substantial following on platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitch, was reportedly removed from the crowd on Friday afternoon. The crowd quickly grew to thousands of teenagers, prompting the NYPD to declare a Level 4 Mobilization, the highest level of disaster response for the department. Cenat is now facing multiple charges, including at least two counts of inciting a riot and unlawful assembly. He was released on Saturday after being issued a desk appearance ticket.
During a press conference on Friday night, NYPD Chief Jeffrey Maddrey revealed that 65 individuals had been arrested, with 30 of them being juveniles. Maddrey described the destruction of NYPD vehicles, including his own, as well as damage to food carts and the throwing of plates at officers by the young rioters.
One 17-year-old was taken to Bellevue Hospital with injuries caused by debris from fireworks. Videos from the scene also captured crowds chanting vulgar anti-NYPD slogans. Maddrey emphasized the dangerous and chaotic nature of the situation, stating, "When you have M-80s and heavy-duty explosives being thrown around a crowd of thousands of people, you're talking about a very dangerous chaotic situation. We can't let this happen here. We can't let this happen with our young people."
Both Mayor Adams and Chief Maddrey issued warnings to the parents of the young individuals involved in the riot. Mayor Adams expressed concern about the influence of social media on the upbringing of children, remarking, "Our children cannot be raised by social media."
The NYPD is continuing its investigation into the incident and is urging anyone with information to come forward to assist in identifying and apprehending the remaining suspects.
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