Nicolas Kenn De Balinthazy, better known online as Sneako, was struck and yanked to the pavement on Lafayette Street near East 4th Street in Manhattan on Tuesday evening while he was live streaming. His camera crashed to the sidewalk, the broadcast briefly cut out, and a short clip of the incident soon started making the rounds across social platforms, drawing a quick police response.
Video Captures the Hit in Real Time
Video of the encounter shows a man walking up to Sneako and landing a punch that sends the streamer to the ground, according to CBS New York. The clip was also shared by TMZ, whose version cuts off as the camera slams onto the pavement and bystanders start shouting. The attacker is briefly visible in the footage and appears to walk away as the stream ends.
Sneako Says He Is Fine, Quickly Returns to the Stream
Not long after, Sneako posted "I'm fine, we got it handled" on social media and was back online within the hour, TMZ reported. In later broadcasts he described the encounter as "random," said he was hit a few times, and said someone pulled out mace. The Economic Times reported that he suffered a chipped tooth. The episode quickly sparked arguments online about how safe in-real-life streaming really is and what responsibilities come with broadcasting every moment.
Background: A Polarizing Online Fixture
Sneako is a prominent and divisive internet personality who has been suspended from major platforms in recent years and who often leans into controversy with provocative on-camera commentary. Last year, NBC New York reported that Mayor Eric Adams hosted a livestream conversation with Sneako at Gracie Mansion, a move that drew public criticism. That history helps explain why an assault caught during a livestream instantly drew intense attention from both his critics and his supporters.
Police Probe Ongoing as Suspect Remains at Large
The NYPD responded to the scene, and CBS New York reports that Sneako told officers he had been assaulted and pepper-sprayed. Police said the suspect was still at large and that detectives were investigating. Local reporting states that anyone with information is being urged to contact authorities as the case remains open.
The confrontation is the latest reminder of the risks faced by creators who stream live from crowded city streets, where a viral clip can instantly double as both evidence and headline. For now, the video is the sharpest record of what unfolded on Lafayette Street as investigators work to track down the assailant.
