Photos by Steven
This was a well-covered story this afternoon... reports of "riots" in and around Union Square after promises of an unsanctioned PlayStation 5 video game consoles giveaway via Twitch streamer Kai Cenat turned chaotic.
Meanwhile, from 3 p.m. on, it seemed like everyone in the neighborhood was looking skyward at the six (at one point) helicopters on the scene...
Updated: Cenat was issued a desk appearance, per the Post ... who also reported that "65 others were taken into custody throughout the three-hour melee, 30 of whom were juveniles."
The 21-year-old Bronx resident was charged with riot, inciting to riot and unlawful assembly, Gothamist reported.
NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey "said believes the event wouldn’t have flown out of hand if it had been organized through the proper municipal channels, allowing the NYPD the time to set up barriers and deploy an appropriate police presence."