Chief of the New York City Police Department Jeffrey Maddrey on Monday detailed events leading up to a chaotic gathering in a Manhattan park that ended with criminal charges filed against popular social media influencer Kai Cenat.
"This young man, this influencer, I believe he saw that day how much influence he really has," Maddrey told the crew of Good Day New York. "He put out a couple of posts that he was going to give out items to his followers, and it grew, and it grew fast."
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An initial report suggested that about 300 young people had converged around Cenat at Union Square Park on Friday, and officers were there, but the crowd soon swelled into the thousands and became unruly, the police chief said.
During an interview with @fox5ny Good Day New York, @NYPDChiefOfDept discussed the ongoing investigation of the event at Union Square. Watch for the full interview below⬇️ pic.twitter.com/FtoxlqrjoH
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) August 7, 2023
"We had to call a level 4 [mobilization] to get enough police resources over there to help address the crowd, but it became very dangerous very fast," according to Maddrey.
"Most importantly, we can't dismiss the attitude of some of the young people who were out there destroying property, destroying vehicles — these things have to be addressed."
Mayor Eric Adams suggested that outside agitators might have been involved in the riot, but Maddrey did not confirm that allegation.
"We're looking at all possibilities. We're looking at every investigative lead, but, as I said, it was dangerous," he said.
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"It was not the place to bring that sort of activity. Our young people deserve to come out in the summertime to see the people they admire and have a good time."
Cenat is facing charges of riot, inciting a riot, and unlawful assembly and is due in court on Aug. 18.