Police say they are looking for several teenagers accused of causing damage to a police vehicle during a violent gathering in Union Square Friday afternoon.
Authorities said eight males, between the ages of 14 and 18, were seen on surveillance video kicking and jumping on a department vehicle around 3:30 p.m. when they were among hundreds gathered to meet social media influencer Kai Cenat. Cenat, a video creator with 6.5 million followers on the platform Twitch, posted he would be in the area giving away gaming systems and other prizes, according to the Associated Press.
NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey said the crowd swarmed the influencer before he was removed from the park to safety by police.
Maddrey said the gathering was declared an "unlawful assembly" when individuals began to commit act of violence toward the police and public.
The police chief said some in the crowd broke into a construction site in the park and began to throw paint cans, rocks and bottles from the site at police, and were also walking around with axes and shovels. A total of 65 people were arrested, including 30 juveniles.
Maddrey said at least three police officers were injured. Two officers were removed via ambulance, and another sergeant suffered a broken hand, he said. At least four civilians were taken to area hospitals, he added. But he also added that he saw multiple other people with cuts, bruises and lacerations at the scene.
Cenat, 21, was issued a desk appearance and is facing two counts of inciting a riot and unlawful assembly, Maddrey said.