A video game giveaway caused havoc in New York City after thousands of people flocked Union Square Park hoping to be a the lucky winner.
Popular comedy Twitch streamer Kai Cenat announced a few of his fans could win free Playstation 5 consoles at 4 p.m. in Union Square eventually leading to the swarm of people. Police say they struggled to contain the thousands of people who took over took the park and the roads.
The YouTuber posted a video of ABC7’s aerial footage of the crowd on his Instagram story.
Arrests have been made but the New York Police Department told USA TODAY they can’t give a concrete number of how many arrests and injuries have occurred as early Friday evening.
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ABC7 reported that officers did not want to arrest people and had to prevent the situation from escalating further.
The mass of people reportedly threw objects at officers requiring them to take cover behind cars and holding pieces of plywood, according to ABC7. Some people in the crowd threw paint cans and other equipment while others climbed up the a gazebo and the George Washington statue.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority said all subway trains are currently functioning after the swam of people bypassed a stop near Union Square Park for a short time.
USA TODAY has reached out to Cenat’s representatives for comment.
The police department is scheduled to hold a press conference at Friday evening.
